Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has issued Presidential Decree 1147, establishing a period of national mourning following the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel in Venezuela. The solemn observance will commence at 6:00 a.m. on January 5 and continue through midnight on January 6, 2026.
The decree, published in Cuba’s Official Gazette, comes in response to what the Cuban government describes as a criminal attack against Venezuela by the United States government on January 3, 2026. According to the presidential statement, the deceased Cubans were fulfilling missions at the request of Venezuelan counterpart agencies when they perished during combat operations or facility bombings.
President Díaz-Canel characterized the fallen personnel as having fulfilled their duties with dignity and heroic resistance, noting that they embodied the solidarity principles valued by millions of Cubans. The declaration was made under constitutional authority granted by Article 125 of the Cuban Constitution and relevant provisions of Law 136 from October 28, 2020.
During the mourning period, the Lone Star Flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings and military institutions nationwide. Additionally, all public entertainment and festive activities have been suspended throughout the two-day observance.
The implementation and enforcement of these measures fall under the responsibility of ministers from the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Interior Ministry, and Foreign Affairs Ministry. The decree was formally issued from the Palace of the Revolution on January 4, 2026, designated as the ‘Year of the Centennial of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.’