Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has denounced the United States' military assault on Venezuela following early morning explosions in Caracas and other cities across the South American nation.
In a statement shared on his X account (previously known as Twitter), Nicolás Maduro's ally described the offensive as a "criminal attack" and labeled it as an act of "state terrorism" against the Venezuelan people.
Díaz-Canel's message came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Nicolás Maduro "has been captured and taken out of Venezuela," confirming that Washington had launched a large-scale military operation targeting sites within the Caribbean country.
According to international outlets, including Reuters and El País, multiple explosions were reported in the states of Miranda, Aragua, La Guaira, as well as the capital, Caracas.
The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, urging its citizens to "defend the homeland" in response to what it terms a "severe U.S. military aggression."
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted "bombings in Caracas" and called for urgent meetings of the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Cuba, a political and economic partner of the Venezuelan regime, was among the first nations to react following Trump's announcement. Havana has maintained close cooperation with Caracas since the era of Hugo Chávez, involving the exchange of Cuban doctors and military advisors for subsidized oil.
In his statement, Díaz-Canel reaffirmed the Cuban regime's dedication to Chavismo and to what he referred to as the Latin American "Peace Zone," a concept championed by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The Cuban leader's post was accompanied by the revolutionary slogan "Patria o Muerte ¡Venceremos!" echoing the historical motto of Castro's ideology.
Key Questions on the Venezuela Conflict
What was the reaction of the international community to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela?
International media reported widespread explosions, and leaders like Colombia's President Gustavo Petro called for urgent discussions within the UN and OAS.
How has Cuba responded to the situation in Venezuela?
Cuba, as an ally of Venezuela, quickly condemned the U.S. action, emphasizing its support for the Chavista regime and the concept of a "Peace Zone" in Latin America.