Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. Delta Force troops launch a weekend raid in Caracas, forcibly removing President Nicolás Maduro and killing 32 Cuban nationals embedded in Venezuela’s security forces. The operation marks the largest Cuban combat loss since the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, underscoring the depth of the Cuba‑Venezuela alliance forged under Chávez and Maduro. [3][4]

Jan 5, 2026 – Cuba’s government announces that 32 of its armed‑forces and intelligence officers died “in combat actions” while protecting Maduro at Venezuela’s request, and it declares two days of national mourning. President Miguel Díaz‑Canel states the Cubans were there “at the request of Venezuela,” framing the casualties as a direct response to U.S. aggression. [4]

Jan 5, 2026 – Havana denounces the raid as illegal, vows defiance, and President Díaz‑Canel calls the fallen “heroes of the anti‑imperialist struggle.” Former commander Victor Dreke warns that any U.S. invasion of Cuba “would provoke a strong Cuban response,” invoking the Bay of Pigs memory. U.S. President Donald Trump declares that “Cuba is ready to fall” and that “it’s going down for the count,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio labels Cuba a “disaster” run by “incompetent, senile men.” [3][4]

Jan 6, 2026 – Cuba publishes the names, ranks and ages of the 32 dead, ranging from 26 to 60, and lowers national flags before dawn. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez posts on X that Cubans are “prepared to give their lives” to resist any U.S. intervention, reinforcing the government’s anti‑imperialist narrative. [7][8]

Jan 6, 2026 – The Organization of American States convenes an emergency meeting after the raid; U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto defends the operation as a “targeted law‑enforcement action,” while several delegations demand sanctions on Venezuela and condemn the strike. The meeting highlights sharp regional divisions over U.S. policy in the hemisphere. [7]

Jan 6, 2026 – Cuban authorities lower flags and display public grief, while energy experts warn that the loss of Maduro‑era oil shipments—about 35,000 barrels per day, roughly a quarter of Cuba’s demand—could deepen blackouts and shortages. The article notes that alternatives from Mexico, Russia or private investors are limited, making the oil lifeline a critical vulnerability for Havana. [8]

Jan 15, 2026 – The cremated remains of the 32 Cuban officers arrive in Havana for formal military ceremonies; thousands line the streets as urns are displayed at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas calls the slain soldiers “heroes in an anti‑imperialist struggle,” contrasting U.S. claims of precision with the human cost. The United States announces $3 million in additional hurricane‑relief aid, while Cuban officials question the timing amid political tension. [6][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – Venezuela reports more than 100 deaths in the Caracas raid and warns that oil shipments to Cuba could be halted, threatening a severe blow to the island’s already strained economy. Public protests are planned outside the U.S. embassy, and families across Cuba prepare to pay respects at the upcoming interments. [2]

Jan 16, 2026 – Cuba receives the ashes of the 32 fallen in a solemn funeral cortege attended by Raul Castro and President Díaz‑Canel; crowds line the route from the airport to the Armed Forces Ministry. In a phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump praises Venezuela’s interim president as “a terrific person,” hinting at a possible regional realignment. Victor Dreke reiterates that any U.S. invasion would meet “swift and determined” Cuban resistance, echoing Bay of Pigs lessons. The ceremony occurs against a backdrop of chronic blackouts, embargo pressures and a tourism slump that strain Havana’s capacity to sustain its Venezuela‑led alliance. [1][5]