Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on Wednesday that 100 people were killed in the U.S. military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power on Saturday. This is the first time Caracas has provided an official death toll from the raid.
The Venezuelan army previously released a list of 23 soldiers killed in the assault. Cuban officials have said 32 members of Cuba’s military and intelligence services in Venezuela were also killed.
Cabello stated that during the U.S. raid, Maduro suffered a leg injury and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was detained with him, suffered a head injury. Venezuelan authorities have characterized parts of Maduro’s security forces as having been killed “in cold blood.”
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez — who has assumed leadership following the operation — declared a seven-day period of mourning for members of the military killed during the raid, and described the deceased as defenders of the nation.
The U.S. military operation has significantly escalated geopolitical tensions, with Maduro and Flores now in U.S. custody and expected to face legal proceedings in federal court.
