Casualties Mount In Venezuela: 55 Military Personnel Killed In US Raid To Capture Maduro

CARACAS / HAVANA – Official death tolls released by Caracas and Havana have confirmed that at least 55 military and security personnel were killed during the high-stakes U.S. special forces operation to capture Nicolás Maduro. The raid, conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2026, resulted in the extraction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are now in U.S. custody.

The figures mark the first formal accounting of the heavy losses suffered by Venezuelan and Cuban forces stationed in the capital.

The Breakdown of Fatalities

While the U.S. has reported no fatalities among its personnel (noting only approximately seven injuries), the defending forces in Caracas saw significant casualties.

• Cuban Forces (32 Dead): Havana confirmed that 32 members of its Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior were killed. These individuals were reportedly part of Maduro’s elite security detail. The deceased ranged in age from 26 to 67 and included high-ranking officers: two colonels and one lieutenant colonel.
• Venezuelan Forces (23 Dead): The Venezuelan military confirmed 23 service members died during the initial bombing raids and the subsequent ground assault by U.S. Delta Force and Rangers.
• Civilian Status: Interim authorities have not yet released a confirmed count for civilian casualties, though local reports suggest several “dozens” may have been caught in the crossfire or strikes on military infrastructure.

Interim President and the “Oil for Peace” Deal

Following the ouster, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president on Monday. She is currently navigating a precarious path between maintaining the loyalty of the Chavista hardliners and meeting the aggressive demands of President Donald Trump.

The 50-Million-Barrel Agreement: In a significant post-raid development, Trump announced that the interim Venezuelan government has agreed to turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of high-quality oil to the United States.

• Market Price: The oil will be sold at current market rates.
• U.S. Control: Trump stated the proceeds would be “controlled by me” to ensure the funds benefit both the American and Venezuelan people.
• Infrastructure Rebuilding: In exchange, the U.S. has hinted at deploying American energy companies to “fix” and rebuild Venezuela’s crumbling oil infrastructure.

Operation “Absolute Resolve” Timeline