Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, announced that 100 people were killed in a U.S. military attack that led to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power earlier this week.
The figure, disclosed late on Wednesday by Cabello, represents the first official casualty count provided by Venezuelan authorities since the raid occurred. Prior to this, the Venezuelan army had only released a list naming 23 fatalities among its own ranks.
Venezuelan officials have characterised much of the loss of life as resulting from the deaths of Maduro’s security personnel during the operation, while Cuba has reported that 32 members of its military and intelligence services stationed in Venezuela also died.
Cabello said both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores-who were detained during the raid-suffered injuries, with Flores sustaining a head wound and Maduro a leg injury.
In response to the deaths, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a week of national mourning, praising Cabello’s public support and condemning the raid.
The U.S. has not confirmed independent casualty figures, and external estimates vary; some U.S. sources suggest a lower death toll from the operation.
The incident has intensified geopolitical tensions and drawn global attention to the aftermath of the raid that dramatically shifted Venezuela’s leadership dynamics.
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