In a sombre display of unity, hundreds of Cubans gathered in the streets of Havana to pay their respects to the eight of their countrymen who perished during a US-led raid in Venezuela.
The tragic incident occurred last weekend when a group of armed men, allegedly backed by the US government, stormed a beach in the coastal town of Macuto, Venezuela. The raid resulted in the deaths of at least eight Cubans, who were reportedly providing security and training to the Venezuelan government.
The BBC’s Will Grant, reporting from the Cuban capital, described the scene as one of profound grief and solidarity. “People lined the streets, many carrying Cuban flags and photographs of the victims,” he said. “There was a palpable sense of anger and sorrow as the crowd honoured those who lost their lives in Venezuela.”
According to Grant, the Cubans killed in the raid were part of a contingent of security personnel and advisers who had been sent to Venezuela to assist the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The US government has long been critical of Cuba’s support for the Maduro regime, and the recent incursion has only served to heighten tensions between the two countries.
“This was a devastating blow to the Cuban people,” said local resident Maria Fernandez. “These were our brothers and sisters, people who were trying to help a friendly nation. Their deaths are a tragedy, and we will not forget them.”
The Cuban government has vowed to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the “flagrant violation of international law” and called for a full and transparent inquiry into the events.
As the mourners in Havana continued to pay their respects, the broader implications of the Venezuela raid remained a subject of intense speculation and debate. Some analysts have suggested that the incursion could further strengthen the alliance between Cuba and Venezuela, while others have warned of the potential for escalating tensions between Havana and Washington.
Regardless of the political ramifications, the grief and outrage expressed by the Cuban people on the streets of Havana was a poignant reminder of the human cost of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
