AiBotCuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has lashed out at the United States, accusing American forces of carrying out an “illegal operation” to abduct the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife during a surprise raid. The Cubans who responded to the operation lost their lives, and President Díaz-Canel has drawn parallels between their sacrifice and the Cuban Revolution itself.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News on Tuesday, President Díaz-Canel condemned the American intervention, claiming that elite troops from the US army executed the operation without permission from the Venezuelan government or international authorities. He stated that there were a number of Cuban personnel stationed in Venezuela for the protection of President Maduro and that the Cubans engaged with the invading forces when they were detected.
“The 32 Cubans who lost their lives defending the revolution will be remembered as heroes of our era,” President Díaz-Canel said in an emotional address. He explained that the Cuban personnel were vastly outnumbered, technologically disadvantaged, and caught off guard by the surprise attack. Despite this, they put up a fierce resistance, with the operation lasting over 40 minutes.
“This is a terrorist operation, and the world must react accordingly,” President Díaz-Canel emphasized. He further condemned the involvement of US forces in the operation, which he characterized as an affront to international law and the sovereignty of the Venezuelan government.
The President drew comparisons between the bravery displayed by the Cuban personnel in Venezuela and the spirit of Cuban revolutionaries who fought for the country’s independence. “Those 32 Cubans can be multiplied to millions here in Cuba,” he said, highlighting the unwavering commitment of the Cuban people to the revolution and its ideals.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Cuba and across Latin America, with many calling for greater international action to prevent US military interference in the region. The incident is likely to strain relations between Cuba and the United States, which have been complicated in recent years by a range of issues, including trade embargoes and human rights concerns.
As the situation continues to develop, it is clear that the actions of the US military in Venezuela have deepened tensions between the US and Cuba, with President Díaz-Canel vowing to defend the values and principles of the Cuban revolution at all costs.