The remains of the 32 Cuban military personnel killed in Venezuela arrived in Havana on Thursday, marking the beginning of two days of funeral honors that bring together tens of thousands in the streets. Soldiers in white gloves lowered the urns from a Cubana de Aviación plane, received by the Minister of the Interior, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas.
“We received them with profound pride and eternal commitment”, declared Álvarez Casas, emphasizing the defense of a just cause against imperialism. The President Miguel Díaz-Canel, as Commander-in-Chief, and Raúl Castro were present at the airport.
Context of the operation in Venezuela
The 32 Cuban military personnel, aged between 26 and 60, belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior. They were part of a bilateral security agreement with Venezuela. They died during the US operation that captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3, along with his wife Cilia Flores, now facing charges for drug trafficking in New York.
Tension between Cuba and the United States
The arrival of the remains increases the friction with Washington. Donald Trump demanded that Cuba negotiate before it’s too late, in the midst of sanctions over 60 years old that have exacerbated the island’s economic crisis. Cuba rejects the threats, stating that an entire people would resist any aggression.
Popular Support Demonstrations
Thousands of Cubans lined up in the streets to see motorcycles and military vehicles with the urns pass by. “It’s important to honor the combatants”, said Carmen Gómez, 58 years old, highlighting the sense of patriotism despite the difficulties. The doctor José Luis Piñeiro, with experience in Táchira, Venezuela, praised their heroism and minimized the risks of invasion: “It will have to take an aspirin”.
The remains are exposed at the Ministry of the Armed Forces, near the Plaza de la Revolución, with tributes until Friday at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune in front of the US Embassy. Also, wounded people arrived, received by the Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez.
Humanitarian Aid and Historical Precedents
On the same day, the US offers humanitarian aid through the Catholic Church for the victims of the 2025 hurricane Melissa, with non-political food, but Cuba sees it as manipulation. Historically, Cuba has held massive funerals: in 1976 for 73 victims of a Cubana attack; in 1989 for 2,000 from Angola; and in 1997 for Che Guevara.
These funeral honors to the 32 Cuban military personnel reinforce the narrative of resistance against external pressures, in a context of broken alliances with Venezuela and persistent sanctions. (Words: 478)
