In Venezuela and around the world Cuba is in the forefront of defending revolution.
Originally published in Struggle La Lucha.
The Cuban government announced Jan. 4 that 32 Cuban citizens were killed during the U.S. military strike on Venezuela in the early morning hours of Jan. 3.
The fighters were serving missions on behalf of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior at the request of Venezuelan counterpart agencies when U.S. forces bombed military installations and civilian areas across Caracas and northern Venezuela.
According to the Cuban government, the combatants “fell in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities” after offering “fierce resistance.”
Once their identities were confirmed, their families were notified and received condolences from Army General RaĂşl Castro, President Miguel DĂaz-Canel, and the heads of the institutions to which they belonged.
Cuba characterized the attack as “a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism” and stated that the fallen combatants “knew how to uphold, with their heroic actions, the solidarity of millions of compatriots.”
President DĂaz-Canel declared two days of national mourning, effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, through midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 6. During this period, the Cuban flag will fly at half-staff on all public buildings and military installations, and public shows and festive activities are suspended.
The Jan. 3 strike, codenamed “Absolute Resolve,” involved more than 150 U.S. military aircraft that bombed infrastructure across northern Venezuela. U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and flew them to New York City to face narcoterrorism charges.
Venezuelan officials report that more than 80 people were killed in the attack, including the 32 Cuban fighters and numerous Venezuelan military personnel and civilians. Strikes hit residential areas, including a civilian apartment complex in Catia La Mar.
Trump told reporters that “a lot of Cubans were killed” and said they “were protecting Maduro.” He added that two U.S. soldiers were injured but that no U.S. personnel were killed.
The Trump administration has said it plans to “run” Venezuela temporarily and exploit the country’s oil reserves and mineral deposits.
Presidential Decree declares national mourning
The following is the text of Presidential Decree 1147:
MIGUEL DĂŤAZ-CANEL BERMĂšDEZ, President of the Republic.
I HEREBY ANNOUNCE: That by virtue of the provisions of Article 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and Article 24, paragraph x), of Law 136 “Of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Cuba,” of October 28, 2020, I have considered the following:
WHEREAS: With deep sorrow our people have learned that during the criminal attack perpetrated by the United States government against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, carried out in the early morning of January 3, 2026, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat actions, who were fulfilling missions representing the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart bodies of that country.
Our compatriots honorably fulfilled their duty and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities and knew how to uphold, with their heroic action, the solidarity of millions of compatriots.
THEREFORE: In the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 128, paragraph ñ), of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, I have decided to issue the following:
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1147
FIRST: Declare two days of National Mourning, from 6:00 a.m. on January 5 until midnight on January 6, 2026.
SECOND: To order that while the National Mourning is in effect, the Lone Star Flag be flown at half-mast on public buildings and military institutions.
THIRD: During the period of National Mourning, public shows and festive activities are suspended.
FOURTH: The Ministers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Interior, and Foreign Affairs are responsible for complying with the provisions of this Decree.
PUBLISH in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba.
GIVEN, at the Palace of the Revolution, on the 4th day of January 2026. “Year of the Centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.”
Miguel DĂaz-Canel BermĂşdez President of the Republic
Michael Li is Senior Counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.
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