Venezuela: 100 dead, the heavy toll of the American attack

An American military operation conducted on January 3, 2026, in Venezuela, which led to the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, resulted in at least 100 deaths, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated during a televised broadcast on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Venezuelan authorities also indicated that a “similar” number of people were injured during the assault. The American attack on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was reportedly carried out as part of a large-scale intervention by the United States armed forces aimed at neutralizing and capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington accuses of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking. According to official Venezuelan statements, Maduro sustained a slight leg injury and his wife injuries to the head and body, but both are reportedly in a “stable condition”. A heavy human toll and official funerals Figures released by the Venezuelan government report at least 100 deaths, including Venezuelan military personnel and members of allied forces, notably Cuban, as well as civilians. Images broadcast by the armed forces show funerals with military honors in Caracas, where coffins draped with the national flag were escorted amidst the songs and tears of grieving families. This operation, which marks an unprecedented direct intervention by the United States in Latin America in decades, has sparked strong national and international reactions concerning respect for sovereignty and international law. Immediately upon the announcement of the attack, the United Nations Secretary-General expressed deep concern, stating that the intervention risks undermining fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition of the use of force without an explicit mandate. Several countries allied with Caracas condemned the operation, denouncing a blatant violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Cuba, for instance, described the American attack as “military aggression” and reaffirmed its support for Caracas’s demand for guarantees and proof of life for the captives. For their part, American officials defended the operation as an initiative aimed at upholding the law and combating international drug trafficking, while asserting that Maduro’s extraction fell within an internal legal framework specific to U.S. authorities. However, critics denounce that the action was not mandated by a UN Security Council resolution, raising questions about its compliance with international law. The American intervention comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Caracas, with mutual accusations and decades of conflicted relations. The impact of this operation on regional stability, diplomatic relations, and future developments in Venezuela remains uncertain, while the families of the victims continue to face a significant human toll. Jean Wesley Pierre/ Le Relief