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More than 100 people were killed during and after the U.S. Military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, according to Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. The claim, made late Wednesday, alleges significant civilian casualties stemming from the operation.
“So far, and I say so far, You’ll see 100 dead, 100,” Cabello stated. He further claimed that civilians, including women in their homes, were killed as a result of “the impact of the powerful bombs launched against our country.”
The assertion of civilian deaths contrasts with statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously said no U.S. Service members were killed, though some sustained injuries when a helicopter was struck during the operation. Seven U.S. Troops were injured in the operation, according to the Pentagon.
The Cuban government has similarly acknowledged casualties, announcing Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed “in combat actions” while performing missions on behalf of the Cuban Armed Forces and interior ministry. It remains unclear whether these deaths are included in Cabello’s reported total of 100.
Diosdado Cabello, who was appointed Minister of the Interior and Vice President for Citizen Security by Maduro in August 2024, has emerged as a central figure in the wake of Maduro’s capture. Following the U.S. Operation, Cabello appeared in Caracas wearing a helmet and flak jacket, condemning the action as a “cowardly attack” and calling for the defense of Venezuelan sovereignty. He also warned opponents of consequences for doubting the “Bolivarian revolution.”
Cabello’s role has been described by some analysts as effectively making him the most powerful person in Venezuela, despite the formal transfer of presidential authority to interim President Delcy Rodríguez. He has been previously accused of cracking down on dissent and critical media coverage, including by a United Nations human rights mission in 2024.
The capture of Maduro by U.S. Special forces has not yet resulted in a significant democratic opening in Venezuela, despite initial hopes for such a transition. Cabello’s continued presence in power, as Interior Minister, underscores the ongoing influence of Maduro’s inner circle. His armed colectivos, described as paramilitary enforcers, continue to operate in poor neighborhoods, suppressing dissent and controlling the distribution of state goods.
The U.S. Operation and its aftermath have occurred amid a period of internal fracture within the Chavista regime, stemming from sustained U.S. Sanctions. These sanctions have reshaped the power dynamics within Venezuela, forcing leaders to seek new international alliances under conditions of mistrust. The arrest of Pedro Tellechea, former president of PDVSA and an ally of Delcy Rodríguez, in 2024, marked a significant move by Cabello to consolidate control over state resources.
