On Monday, Pablo Iglesias, former leader of Podemos and ex-Vice President of Spain, shared a segment of his interview with Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel on his X account. The full interview is set to air soon on Canal Red América Latina, covering various topics about Cuba. However, Iglesias chose to highlight the part where he questioned Díaz-Canel about the 32 Cuban soldiers who perished during Operation Absolute Resolution on January 3, 2026, in Caracas.
"I asked Miguel Díaz-Canel about the Cubans who died in combat defending Nicolás Maduro. His emotional response was striking," Iglesias noted while sharing the clip. In the video, he adds, "It's not the first time that Cubans have protected leaders of other countries. I would like you to say a few words about these men."
This references historical instances like the presence of Cuban military personnel with President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973, during the coup in Chile and his subsequent death.
The Aftermath of Operation Absolute Resolution
Díaz-Canel avoided delving into the historical context, choosing instead to narrate the epic events starting from the early hours of January 3, 2026, when he first received news of the incident in Venezuela. He described these initial reports as "highly inaccurate" until the tragic deaths of the 32 soldiers were confirmed.
In response, he convened Communist Party leaders at the Palace of the Revolution to orchestrate support for Venezuela and to internationally denounce what he termed a "completely brutal and illegal aggression." Notably, he remained silent on previous occasions when Cuba had provided protection to foreign presidents.
A National Call to Action
With an emotional tone, Díaz-Canel recounted the march held in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana when the remains of the fallen were returned. "I arrived with some family members and colleagues at the anti-imperialist platform at nine-thirty. The place was overflowing, Pablo. People were fervent, filled with a strong sentiment," he asserted.
The regime organized this mobilization, compelling workers to participate despite the country's ongoing fuel crisis and lack of resources. "What was parading wasn't a defeated people; it was a firm nation, reaffirming its conviction," Díaz-Canel added.
Recognizing the Fallen: Cuban Heroes
The Cuban leader praised the 32 soldiers as "heroes," emphasizing that they managed to complicate the operation of the American Delta Force despite being "outnumbered, outgunned, and outmatched in every way." The Cuban regime released the names and photographs of the deceased, including Colonels Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez and Lázaro Evangelio Rodríguez Rodríguez, and Major Ismael Terrero Ge, whose ages ranged from 26 to 67. This acknowledgment marked a departure from decades of official denials regarding Cuba's military presence in Venezuela.
The operation, carried out by approximately 200 Delta Force soldiers with the support of 150 aircraft, concluded with the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores at Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas, who were subsequently transported to New York.
The remains of the 32 Cuban soldiers were repatriated to the island on January 15 for state funerals, following Díaz-Canel's decree of two days of national mourning.
Pablo Iglesias' Visit to Cuba
Iglesias recently traveled to Havana with the Convoy Nuestra América, an initiative by Progressive International that brought together around 650 people from 33 countries under the slogan "Cuba is not alone." Among the participants were former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Colombian Senator Clara López, activist Hasan Piker, and the Irish rap group Kneecap.
During his initial days in Havana, Iglesias downplayed the Cuban crisis, describing it as "certainly difficult, but not as it's being portrayed from the outside," remarks that sparked a wave of criticism from Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Key Questions on Cuban Military Involvement in Venezuela
What was Operation Absolute Resolution?
Operation Absolute Resolution was a military operation conducted by approximately 200 U.S. Delta Force soldiers, with support from 150 aircraft, aiming to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas on January 3, 2026.
How did Díaz-Canel respond to the deaths of Cuban soldiers in Venezuela?
Díaz-Canel expressed his emotional reaction and convened Communist Party leaders to support Venezuela and condemn the U.S. operation. He praised the fallen soldiers as heroes and organized a national march to honor their return to Cuba.
Why was Pablo Iglesias in Cuba?
Pablo Iglesias visited Cuba as part of the Convoy Nuestra América, an initiative by Progressive International that gathered people from various countries to show solidarity with Cuba under the slogan "Cuba is not alone."