AiBotIn an extraordinary press conference with Sky News, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has levelled scathing accusations at the United States government, claiming that elite American troops were responsible for the extractions of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a daring early-morning raid.
According to Díaz-Canel, the operation, which was designed to take mere minutes to execute, dragged on for over 40 minutes, resulting in the heroic sacrifice of 32 Cuban special forces personnel who were stationed in Venezuela to protect the Venezuelan leader. The Cuban President described the circumstances of their deaths as a “crushing blow” to his nation.
Díaz-Canel’s comments paint a vivid picture of the confrontation, which he claims was marked by the Cubans’ bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite being outnumbered, outgunned and caught off guard by the sudden attack, the Cuban soldiers fought valiantly to defend their Venezuelan ally, who was also targeted by the US forces.
The raid’s prolonged duration, the Cuban President stressed, was a testament to the courage and determination of the fallen Cubans, who had volunteered to serve in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Díaz-Canel acknowledged the heavy human toll, stating that the 32 fatalities would have a lasting impact on Cuban society, and, by extension, the entire country.
Díaz-Canel’s assertion of US culpability in the Venezuelan raid adds a significant layer of tension to the already strained relations between Havana and Washington. His words are likely to spark further diplomatic fallout, as the international community grapples with the implications of this alleged operation.
Responding to the crisis, Cuba has pledged to provide further support to President Maduro and his family, while condemning what it sees as a brazen act of aggression by the United States. In a statement, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry described the US actions as a “grave breach of international law,” which has sparked a collective response across the region.
The situation remains delicate, with many international leaders now calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Venezuelan raid. Meanwhile, the United States has declined to comment on the matter, fueling speculation and outrage in the face of mounting evidence that its forces were indeed involved.