Venezuela Under Attack?! 80 Dead in Shocking US Raid, NYT Reports!

The fallout from the alleged U.S. raid targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro continues to worsen, with the death toll now reportedly reaching 80, according to a sobering New York Times report. It's a grim reminder of how quickly international tensions can escalate into devastating events.

Venezuela Under Attack?! 80 Dead in Shocking US Ra...

The casualties, as per the NYT's Sunday report, include both Venezuelan soldiers and civilians. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez acknowledged that U.S. forces killed a "large part" of Maduro's security detail. While he stopped short of providing exact numbers, the implications are chilling. The Venezuelan government is also accusing the U.S. of targeting civilian areas during the operation, though an official death toll from their side is still pending. This lack of transparency on both sides makes verifying information extremely difficult, but the reports paint a picture of widespread destruction.

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Cuba has reported that 32 of its citizens, including military personnel, were killed during what they are calling a U.S. military intervention aimed at abducting President Maduro in Caracas. President Miguel Diaz-Canel has declared two days of national mourning, January 5th and 6th, a clear indication of the depth of the Cuban government's grief and outrage.

"Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombings," Diaz-Canel stated. It's a powerful statement, highlighting the human cost of these geopolitical power plays. These aren't just numbers; these are people, with families and lives cut short.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto echoed these sentiments, paying tribute to the deceased Cubans and denouncing the U.S. raid as a "criminal and infamous" attack. He claims the Cubans were in Venezuela on cooperation and defense missions, further solidifying the narrative of a deeply intertwined relationship between the two nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump, while stating that no American troops were killed, did concede that some service members may have been wounded. The New York Times, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reports approximately half a dozen soldiers sustained injuries during the operation to capture Maduro and his wife. This admission, however veiled, suggests that the operation was far from a clean and surgical strike.

Reports indicate that the U.S. bombardment targeted key military sites, communication infrastructure, and depots. American officials, however, maintain that the airstrikes were simply intended to provide cover for seizing Maduro, who they intend to bring to America to face drug trafficking and weapons charges. It’s a classic case of justification after the fact, and it remains to be seen if the American public will buy it.

The Venezuelan leadership, predictably, continues to vehemently deny any connection to the drug trade, framing the U.S. accusations as a thinly veiled pretext for regime change. It's a familiar narrative, and one that resonates with many who view U.S. foreign policy with deep skepticism. Where this all leads remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the situation is volatile, and the human cost is already tragically high. Read Full Article at RT.com Read more RT captures aftermath of US raid on Venezuela (VIDEOS)