In response to the U.S. military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores—drawing varied global reactions—Cuba has issued a forceful condemnation, labeling it a violation of international law, demanding immediate release, and reaffirming solidarity with Venezuela's government.
On January 3, 2026, Cuba's Revolutionary Government released a statement denouncing the U.S. action as a 'cowardly aggression' and 'kidnapping,' echoing Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez's call for proof of life. The communiqué underscores unwavering support for the Chavista leadership and people in safeguarding sovereignty.
Cuba frames the capture as an escalation of U.S. hostilities since September 2025, including a Caribbean naval deployment, holding President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio accountable for potential deaths and linking it to Monroe Doctrine-era ambitions over Venezuelan resources.
The statement urges global condemnation of this 'imperialist aggression' and invokes the 2014 Havana-declared Zone of Peace in Latin America and the Caribbean. Domestically, President Miguel Díaz-Canel led a protest outside the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, though opinions divide: some Cubans hope for similar intervention, others dread repercussions.
Venezuela supplies Cuba with 30,000 barrels of oil daily, critical amid the island's energy crisis and shortages. Cuban embassy staff in Caracas and personnel in Venezuelan health and sports sectors report safety, with no confirmed casualties. However, Trump has labeled Cuba a 'failed nation' and hinted at pressure, while Rubio warned of consequences, heightening political tensions.
