This weekend, multiple anonymous sources informed that the Cuban Communist Party has started to withdraw its operatives from Venezuela, encompassing both “security advisers” and medical personnel.
Evidence collected over the years, including accounts from exiled socialists, indicates that Cuba has had a substantial presence in Venezuela since the time of the late dictator Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. Estimates suggest that at one point, around 100,000 Cuban operatives—military and civilian alike—were embedded in Venezuela.
In 2019, former Senator Marco Rubio explained to Breitbart News that Maduro’s close ties with Cuba stem from his extensive visits there. He mentioned that the Cuban leadership wanted Maduro to continue Chávez’s legacy, as he aligned with that ideology. However, Rubio noted that many individuals in Maduro’s inner circle lacked strong ideological ties and weren’t quite as committed.
Reports over the last decade seemed validated on January 3, following a U.S. operation that led to the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on drug-related charges. While the Castro regime acknowledged the deaths of 32 Cuban personnel attempting to defend Maduro during this operation, the Venezuelan government has not confirmed those casualties.
If valid, the departure of Cuban operatives from Caracas could signify a notable shift. For the first time since Chávez’s governance, Cuba might be stepping back and governing independently, without intervention.
According to sources, the Cuban government has been phasing out these “security advisers,” primarily because Venezuela’s current leader, Delcy Rodríguez, is reportedly opting not to utilize them like Maduro did. Alongside bolstering his personal security, Rodríguez is also working to eliminate Cuban influence within Venezuela’s intelligence community.
Reports indicate that some Cuban advisers have recently been removed from the Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence, a move corroborated by a former Venezuelan intelligence official.
“In recent weeks, some Cuban medical and security personnel have returned to Cuba,” stated two sources. While Cuban agents still maintain a presence, Rodríguez is asserting Venezuela’s sovereignty over its institutions.
Neither Cuban nor Venezuelan officials have responded to these reports. At the United Nations, Cuba continued to criticize U.S. endeavors in Venezuela, including Maduro’s arrest and support for Rodríguez, who is working towards rebuilding the oil sector. Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the U.S. is behind a humanitarian crisis affecting Venezuela.
“Is it acceptable for a dominant power to destroy a smaller, peaceful nation, creating a humanitarian disaster under the guise of national security?” Rodríguez questioned rhetorically, asserting that the Cuban populace would vigorously defend their sovereignty and rights.
A significant challenge for the Castro regime has emerged with an executive order from President Trump, enacted in late January, enabling tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba. Historically, Cuba relied on oil from Venezuela, but Maduro’s current situation is forcing Cuba to seek alternative sources without much success. Mexico, known for providing oil in the past, reportedly ceased shipments due to a presidential directive.
The outlook for Cuba’s involvement in Venezuela seems uncertain. Delcy Rodríguez previously served as Maduro’s chief diplomat and is recognized as a highly radical socialist. Yet, she has also signaled interest in improving relations with the U.S., with Trump acknowledging her cooperative approach. Recently, Marine General Francis L. Donovan of U.S. Southern Command visited Caracas, receiving a surprisingly warm reception from a regime that was unfriendly towards the U.S. just months prior.
During the meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to fostering a free and prosperous Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of shared security in the region.
