Not bloodless: US raid to capture Venezuelan President Maduro killed 32 Cubans, 23 Venezuelans

New Delhi: In a daring mission that has shocked the world, the United States has captured and extracted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his own country, triggering a raging row all over the world. However, the operation did not happen without hiccups, as US forces reportedly killed 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel during the raid.

Venezuela's military confirmed the losses on Tuesday, saying it lost 23 service members in Saturday's attacks by the US, while Caracas has not given an official figure for civilian casualties yet. On the other hand, Cuba had already announced that the US raid killed 32 members of its armed forces and interior ministry security personnel assigned to duties in Caracas.

Also Read

Maduro vs Hernández: How double standards in US anti-drugs policy has been laid bare

Did secret CIA report convince Trump to back Delcy Rodrigues as Maduro’s replacement?

"Venezuela to give 30 to 50 million barrels to US": Trump to "control oil money" as Maduro capture opens reserve

Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said that many of the dead Cubans were possibly members of Maduro's security detail. The US bombed military targets and then seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Add TV9 English As A Trusted Source

Meanwhile, during his first appearance in the US federal court, Maduro said he was not guilty and alleged that he was kidnapped. He has been charged with narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, for which the US captured and brought him to New York last week. He said, "I'm innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country."

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over the role of acting president of the country. The Constitutional Chamber of the country's Supreme Court said the 56-year-old Rodriguez would assume the presidency to ensure "administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation", adding that it would deliberate further to determine the legal framework governing the president's "forced absence". She has appealed for Maduro's release, while also inviting collaboration with Trump and "respectful relations" with his country.