Venezuela: 7 days of mourning after the US attack and Maduro's arrest
In a dramatic turn of events in Latin America, Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a week of national mourning on Tuesday to honor the victims of the recent US military operation. This announcement followed the raid that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his forced transfer to the United States, a move Caracas has denounced as a flagrant violation of national sovereignty.
In a moving address broadcast on Venezuelan state television, Rodríguez said, "I have decided to declare seven days of national mourning to commemorate the brave young men, women, and children who sacrificed their lives defending the dignity of Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro." The interim president affirmed that the blood that was shed would not be in vain, emphasizing the need for national unity during this critical period for the country.
Regarding casualties, official figures released by the Venezuelan and Cuban governments revealed that 55 members of their respective militaries were killed while repelling the attack. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab explained that the attack not only harmed the military but also dozens of civilians. While the final civilian death toll remains uncertain due to the chaos following the operation, informed sources and field reports indicate that the number ranges between 70 and 80, further exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy of this political and military event.
This attack comes as the culmination of years of escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, with the United States imposing a long series of harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela and previously accusing Maduro and senior officials of "terrorism and drug trafficking." This arrest represents a historic precedent in modern international relations in Latin America, reminiscent of scenarios involving direct military intervention in the affairs of countries in the region, and raising serious questions about the future stability of this oil-rich nation.
Observers believe the repercussions of this event will not be confined to Venezuela's borders, but will extend to regional and international allies, particularly Cuba, whose forces participated in the defense and suffered casualties, as well as Russia, China, and Iran, which have long supported the Maduro government. Venezuela now faces an uncertain future with Maduro absent and Rodríguez assuming power as interim president, amid fears of internal unrest or civil conflict between government supporters and the Western-backed opposition. Meanwhile, the world holds its breath awaiting international reactions and the fate of the president, who is currently detained in Washington.
