Venezuela's interior minister says 100 people died in US attack

Venezuela’s interior minister said a U.S. raid that removed President Nicolas Maduro from power killed about 100 people, with members of the military and allied forces among the dead. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a week of mourning as officials reported injuries to Maduro and his wife during the operation.

REUTERS

January 8, 2026

Venezuela's interior minister says 100 people died in US attack

A member of the military reacts during the funeral of soldiers killed in the U.S. operation to capture Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores in the capital on January 3, at a cemetery in Caracas, Venezuela, January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno

Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said late Wednesday that about 100 people were killed in a U.S. attack that removed President Nicolas Maduro from power on Saturday.

Caracas had not previously released an official death toll, although the Venezuelan army posted a list naming 23 of its personnel who were killed. Venezuelan officials said a large portion of Maduro’s security detail was killed “in cold blood,” while Cuba reported that 32 members of its military and intelligence services stationed in Venezuela also died in the attack.

Cabello said Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who was detained alongside him, suffered a head injury during the raid, while Maduro sustained an injury to his leg.

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, whom Cabello praised as “courageous” during his weekly state television program, declared a week of mourning on Tuesday for members of the military who were killed in the operation.

-Reporting by Reuters