"Are We Next After Venezuela?"... This Country Jolted by Maduro's Arrest

Cuban Society Shocked by Success of U.S. Military Operation
Cuba Has Long Relied Economically on Oil-Rich Venezuela

As the United States abruptly arrested Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, concerns are mounting in Cuba that it could be the next target. Cuba has long been an ally of Venezuela and has relied on aid from the oil-rich nation.

After the United States arrested Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, and extradited him to the US, Cubans attended a rally in Havana, Cuba, on the 3rd (local time) to express solidarity with Venezuela. Cuban government Instagram

On January 4 (local time), CNN reported, "For months as the U.S. military was preparing to attack Venezuela, anxiety persisted in Cuba with many asking, 'Are we next?'"

The United States deployed a large force to the presidential safe house in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, around 1 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) the previous day and arrested President Maduro and his wife.

CNN stated, "After the arrest of President Maduro, Cuba has come into the sights of the Trump administration," adding, "This is a tremendous shock to the Cuban communist regime, which has relied for decades on substantial aid from Venezuela."

On the 3rd (local time), Donald Trump, President of the United States, shared recent photos of Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, who was captured by the U.S. military in a surprise military operation, on the social networking service Truth Social. 2026.1.4

"If it happened to Venezuela..." Anxiety Spreads in Cuban Society

There is also growing unease over the fact that the U.S. military was able to arrest President Maduro without a single casualty. A resident of Havana, Cuba, said, "For decades, former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and President Maduro warned about U.S. intervention," adding, "But when it actually happened, no one was prepared. Venezuela could spend billions of dollars arming its military, but we cannot," expressing his anxiety.

It has been reported that Cuba suffered significant casualties as a result of this U.S. military operation. President Trump said in an interview with the New York Post, "Many Cubans lost their lives. They were protecting President Maduro."

On January 4, the Cuban government announced via Facebook that "32 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior died in combat while carrying out duties at the request of Venezuelan authorities." Cuba declared a two-day national mourning period to honor them.

CNN also reported that suspicions that President Maduro's closest security personnel were Cuban have been confirmed as fact. According to diplomatic sources, Maduro's bodyguards spoke Spanish with a Cuban accent, and it is known that President Maduro, who studied in Havana in his youth, has trusted Cuban aides more than his own country's officials.

US President Donald Trump is monitoring the progress of the 'Resolute Determination' operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with his aides on the 3rd (local time). Truth Social

Trump Declares 'Donroe Doctrine'... Venezuela-Cuba Alliance Put to the Test

There are now predictions that the alliance between Venezuela and Cuba could be shaken by President Maduro's arrest. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Venezuela provided massive amounts of oil for years in exchange for Cuban intelligence, economic, and healthcare personnel.

Former President Chavez once described the two countries as "one homeland." When Chavez passed away, Cuba declared a national mourning period and officially recognized Chavez as the only foreign citizen since the Cuban Revolution.

However, there is an assessment that this "symbiotic relationship" has come under strain during the second Trump administration. President Trump referenced the "Donroe Doctrine" (his aggressive reinterpretation of former U.S. President James Monroe's 1823 declaration), stating that he would not tolerate regimes in the Americas that run counter to U.S. interests.

Peter Kornbluh, co-author of the book "Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana," said, "The swift success of the operation to oust President Maduro could empower hardliners in the United States who have long advocated for regime change in Cuba."

Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of Cuba. Official Instagram of the Cuban government

CNN reported that this escalating tension has come at the worst possible time for Cuba, which is suffering from a severe economic crisis. Power outages have become routine due to fuel shortages and aging power plants, and food shortages have led to concerns over malnutrition. Recently, controversy erupted when Cuba's state-run broadcaster suggested reducing rice consumption.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government has issued a strong message vowing to uphold its alliance with Venezuela. According to CNN, at a rally in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana on January 3, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel declared, "We are prepared to give our lives for Venezuela and Cuba."