Story perspectives

U.S. Forces' Venezuela Invasion Leaves 83 Dead, Sparks Outrage

1/20/2026

Summary

U.S. Forces Invade Venezuela

U.S. forces invaded Venezuela on January 3 to capture President Nicolas Maduro.
The operation killed 18-year-old Saul Pereira Martinez.
In a final call to his mother, he said, 'I love you. It has begun,' before his death.
Natividad Martinez, the mother of Saul Pereira Martinez, visited his grave on January 18, condemning the operation as not 'clean'.
The attack reportedly killed at least 83 people, including Venezuelan soldiers and Cuban security personnel.

Summary

U.S. Forces Strike Maduro

On January 3, U.S. forces killed 83 individuals, including 47 Venezuelan troops and 32 Cuban soldiers, during an operation targeting President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez confirmed the casualty figures and honored the deceased.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the U.S. actions as barbaric and neo-fascist, prompting protests in Havana demanding Maduro's release.
Maduro and his wife are facing federal charges in New York, claiming their status as prisoners of war.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. invasion of Panama in December 1989 aimed to depose Manuel Noriega, following a failed coup attempt two months earlier. Approximately 27,000 U.S. troops were deployed, resulting in over 500 civilian deaths. This intervention reflects a broader pattern of U.S. involvement in Latin America, contributing to ongoing geopolitical tensions and anti-American sentiment, particularly highlighted by Cuba's condemnation of the operation.

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U.S. Forces Invade Venezuela

U.S. forces invaded Venezuela on January 3 to capture President Nicolas Maduro.
The operation killed 18-year-old Saul Pereira Martinez.
In a final call to his mother, he said, 'I love you. It has begun,' before his death.
Natividad Martinez, the mother of Saul Pereira Martinez, visited his grave on January 18, condemning the operation as not 'clean'.
The attack reportedly killed at least 83 people, including Venezuelan soldiers and Cuban security personnel.

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