New Delhi

Cuba’s Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, on Wednesday strongly criticised the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela, describing it as an unlawful act of aggression and demanding the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whom he referred to as the country’s “legitimate” leaders.

Speaking to ANI amid growing tensions in Latin America, Aguilera said he was deeply disturbed by the developments, warning that the situation echoed Cold War–style interventions and 19th-century imperial ambitions.

Recalling the moment he learned of the attack, the Ambassador said he was informed on January 3 that the US had carried out a military assault on Venezuelan territory. “I was completely taken aback. I never thought we would return to an era where a powerful nation would carry out an illegal military intervention against a sovereign state,” he said, drawing parallels with past global confrontations.

On Saturday, the United States reportedly carried out what it described as a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, during which Maduro and his wife were detained and removed from the country. The two were later charged in the Southern District of New York in connection with alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies and are currently facing trial.

Aguilera claimed that the operation caused significant destruction in Caracas and other regions, alleging that Maduro was forcibly abducted by what he described as a terrorist group. He argued that such actions were in direct violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. “This option is completely illegal. In the 21st century, no country should support this kind of behaviour,” he asserted.

The Cuban envoy also confirmed that Cuban nationals lost their lives during the crisis. He said Havana has announced two days of national mourning in honour of 32 Cuban citizens who were killed while assisting in the protection of the Venezuelan President. According to Aguilera, the Bolivarian government had requested additional support to strengthen Maduro’s security, prompting Cuba to send a team to assist. “They stood their ground for over half an hour, confronting the attackers with remarkable courage. For us, they are all heroes,” he said.

Turning his criticism toward Washington’s broader policy on Cuba, Aguilera accused the US administration of attempting to cripple the Cuban economy by once again designating the country as a state sponsor of terrorism—a decision he called politically driven and unjustified. He pointed out that during the first Trump presidency, more than 240 restrictive measures were imposed on Cuba. “Now they are targeting oil shipments from Venezuela and Russia and restricting travel by Americans to Cuba,” he added.

The Ambassador further alleged that the US was seeking to revive a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine to assert dominance over Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly to secure access to natural and strategic resources such as oil. He claimed that Washington was pressuring governments across the region to align with its interests, citing warnings allegedly issued to Mexico and Colombia. “Independent nations cannot be treated this way,” he said.

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Emphasising the need for collective resistance, Aguilera underscored the importance of platforms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, G77 plus China, and BRICS in safeguarding the interests of the Global South. He noted that both the UN Security Council and the Non-Aligned Movement have voiced opposition to unilateral military actions. “No single country can compel the US to change course, but together we can stand up for our principles and defend our sovereignty,” he concluded.