Thousands attend funerals for victims of Operation Absolute Resolve
Thousands of grieving citizens gathered in Caracas on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as Venezuela began burying the victims of a large-scale United States military strike.
The atmosphere was somber as coffins draped in the national yellow, blue, and red flag were paraded through the streets with military honors. According to official reports from Venezuelan authorities, approximately 100 people lost their lives during the lightning operation launched by the Trump administration over the weekend.
The victims include at least 24 members of the Venezuelan armed forces who died defending strategic sites during the initial bombardment. Cuba has also confirmed that 32 of its security personnel, who were serving as part of a protective detail for the presidency, were killed in the air strikes. Internal Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that “dozens of civilians” were also among the dead and injured, describing the event as a “terrible and unprovoked attack on our sovereignty.”
The strikes, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, targeted air defense systems and government buildings in the early hours of January 3. While the United States has not officially confirmed the casualty figures, medical sources in Caracas warn that the death toll could still rise as search teams continue to sift through the rubble of destroyed infrastructure. The funerals have become a rallying point for those mourning what they describe as a “violation of international law.”
Protests intensify as citizens demand Maduro’s return
Beyond the cemeteries, the streets of Venezuela have been engulfed in massive demonstrations as supporters of the deposed leader demand his immediate release. Protesters have occupied major plazas in the capital, chanting slogans against “Yankee imperialism” and calling for the return of Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The couple was reportedly extracted by Delta Force operatives during the raid and flown to New York City to face criminal charges.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who took over the leadership following a Supreme Court ruling, has declared seven days of national mourning to honor the fallen. She has consistently referred to the removal of Maduro as a “kidnapping” rather than a legal arrest. During a televised address, Rodriguez urged the international community to condemn the “naked aggression” and called on the United Nations to intervene.
The protests are not limited to the capital; similar rallies have been reported in Maracaibo, Valencia, and Barquisimeto, where citizens have burned effigies of Donald Trump. Despite the heavy presence of security forces, the demonstrations have remained largely focused on the demand for the restoration of the previous government. Supporters insist that Maduro remains the rightful president of the country, regardless of his current detention in a Manhattan facility.
Trump justifies operation as a fight for oil and law
In the United States, President Donald Trump has continued to defend the operation as a necessary measure for national security and the global “war on drugs.” He has characterized the mission as a law-enforcement action aimed at dismantling a “narco-terrorist regime.” However, in recent statements on Truth Social, the president has also been candid about the economic motivations behind the strike, specifically regarding Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Trump claimed that the United States would “run” Venezuela for the foreseeable future to ensure that its energy resources are managed efficiently. He further stated that any future oil revenues would be tied to the purchase of American products, including agricultural goods and medical equipment. These comments have sparked intense debate at the UN Security Council, where several nations, including China, Russia, and Brazil, have condemned the move as an act of “modern-day annexation.”
As the legal proceedings against Maduro begin in New York, the situation on the ground in Venezuela remains extremely volatile. The combination of national mourning, economic uncertainty, and intense anti-US sentiment has created a precarious environment for any proposed transition of power. With the “Absolute Resolve” operation complete, the focus has now shifted to the long-term humanitarian and political fallout of this unprecedented military intervention.
