Failure to Protect Maduro Leaves 32 Agents Dead... Cold War-Era Star Cuban Intelligence Humiliated

U.S. Airstrike on Venezuelan Capital and Maduro's Arrest Shock the World
32 Cuban Intelligence Agents Guarding Maduro Killed
No U.S. Casualties... "A Blow to the Cuban Regime"

There are growing claims that the United States' surprise airstrike on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, has exposed vulnerabilities among the elite Cuban intelligence agents who were protecting him. According to Yonhap News on January 5 (local time), citing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), "Cuban agents crossed into Venezuela to take charge of President Maduro's security, but they failed to protect him and lost 32 Cuban agents in the process." The report added, "There is an analysis that Cuba, once considered the elite in intelligence operations, has suffered a blow to its reputation."

The flag is being raised at the anti-imperialist podium near the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, to honor the Cuban agents who died at the hands of the U.S. military during the arrest of Nicol?s Maduro, President of Venezuela. Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News, President Maduro was one of the most important figures protected by Cuban agents. However, around 2 a.m. on January 3, when the United States raided President Maduro's safe house and arrested the presidential couple, it was reported that there were no casualties or equipment losses on the U.S. side. In contrast, 32 Cuban agents lost their lives while protecting President Maduro.

Cuban intelligence agents are considered stars of the Cold War era. They thwarted assassination attempts against Fidel Castro, Cuba's top leader who had long confronted the United States, recruited high-ranking U.S. officials, and protected heads of allied nations such as Angola and Panama. The former Soviet intelligence agency, the KGB, also relied on Cuba to build intelligence networks across Latin America and Africa.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba faced economic hardship and sought opportunities in oil-rich Venezuela. Senior Cuban intelligence and military experts, including Asdrubal de la Vega, are known to have led security teams in Venezuela. De la Vega was so close to President Maduro that he even slept in the next room, shadowing him constantly. However, his current whereabouts are unknown.

On the 3rd (local time), at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump is seen with John Ratcliffe, Director of the CIA (left), and Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (right), reviewing the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Photo by AP

Until this airstrike, the United States and Venezuela had maintained a tense relationship. In early December, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with intelligence support from U.S. special operations forces, used drones to attack a remote pier on the Venezuelan coast. The U.S. government reportedly determined that this pier was being used as a hub by the Venezuelan criminal organization 'Tren de Aragua' to store drugs and load them onto ships for smuggling. At the time, U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "We have carried out the first ground military operation in Venezuela."

Despite these threats, Cuba ultimately failed to protect President Maduro. Maria Werlau, author of "Cuba's Intervention in Venezuela," told the WSJ, "This is a defeat for Cuba," adding, "It exposed weaknesses in Cuba's security protocols." Jorge Casta?eda, former Foreign Minister of Mexico, pointed out, "What is even more serious is that Cuba was unable to inflict any damage on the United States," and added, "This means Cuba did not have the necessary capabilities." The WSJ assessed, "This incident could deal a blow to the Cuban regime," and noted, "If Venezuela's economic support and cheap oil supply are cut off amid worsening economic difficulties, it could become an even bigger problem."

Previously, President Trump stated, "There is no need for military intervention in Cuba. Cuba is already ready to collapse," adding, "Cuba now has no sources of income. All revenue came from Venezuela and its oil."