HAVANA, Cuba — In a powerful display of national unity, Cuba conducted solemn ceremonies on Thursday honoring 32 military personnel killed during recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela. The tribute occurred amid escalating tensions between Havana and the Trump administration, serving as both a memorial and political statement.
The ceremony featured full military honors with President Miguel Diaz-Canel and revolutionary leader Raul Castro, aged 94, attending in formal military attire. The soldiers’ remains, transported in flag-draped urns, arrived at Jose Marti International Airport where officials received them with full state honors.
Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez delivered a stirring eulogy praising the soldiers who had ‘fought to the last bullet’ during U.S. operations that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3. The minister explicitly condemned U.S. pressure campaigns, declaring that the United States ‘will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people.’
The procession traveled through Havana streets as citizens lined routes applauding the military convoy. The government declared two days of national tribute, concluding with a public gathering outside the U.S. embassy in Havana.
This demonstration occurs as Cuba faces intensified economic pressure from the Trump administration. President Trump recently threatened consequences unless Cuba accepts an unspecified ‘deal,’ while simultaneously vowing to切断 all Venezuelan oil subsidies that have historically supported Cuba’s economy.
The Cuban government has responded defiantly to these pressures despite experiencing its most severe economic crisis in decades. Havana additionally rejected recent U.S. offers of hurricane relief aid following October’s Hurricane Melissa, denouncing the gesture as ‘political manipulation’ while maintaining they would accept unconditional assistance.
Jeremy Lewin, the senior U.S. official for foreign assistance, urged Cuba not to ‘politicize’ humanitarian offers, indicating Washington’s desire to expand direct aid programs to Cuban citizens.
The incident marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-Cuba relations, which had seen slight improvements during the Obama administration but have regressed dramatically following Maduro’s capture and the accompanying military casualties that included 23 Venezuelan soldiers.