Droves of Cuban security forces have begun fleeing Caracas after nearly 20 years in Venezuela, as pressure mounts from Washington to dismantle one of Latin America’s most significant leftist alliances.
As many as 25,000 soldiers, bodyguards and intelligence agents from Havana have been in the South American country for two decades, according to US estimates, as part of an undisclosed security pact between the two countries that served to shield Venezuela’s socialist government from internal dissent and dating back to the late dictator Hugo Chavez.
Deposed President Nicolas Maduro had relied on elite Cuban forces for his protection, 32 of whom were killed during his Jan. 3 capture by US troops in a covert overnight mission.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz‑Canel and military leaders wave Cuban flags as personnel carry portraits of soldiers killed in the US strike on Venezuela and during the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, on Jan. 16, 2026. REUTERS
Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodriguez and Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Padilla attend the ceremony “Promotions and Decorations for Heroes and Martyrs” in Venezuela on Jan. 8, 2026. REUTERSInterim President Delcy Rodriguez — Maduro’s former vice president — now has Venezuelan bodyguards watching over her, sources told Reuters.
Havana only acknowledged the presence of “Cuban combatants” in Venezuela last month when confronted with evidence — after years of official denials about its involvment.
It’s unclear whether the Cuban security forces left Caracas on a direct order from Rodriguez, on thier own or because they were called back by Havana.
The number of Cubans who have left Caracas in recent weeks is unknown.
At least some military advisers are still working in Venezuela, and some undercover intelligence agents are likely to remain in the country to see how the political situation pans out, sources familiar with the matter said.
US President Donald Trump speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on Feb. 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (FAR) participate in a tribute in Havana, Cuba, on Jan. 16, 2026. Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA/ShutterstockAs part of the informal agreement, thousands of Cuban doctors, nurses and sports coaches also worked in Venezuela.
In exchange, the oil-rich country provided communist Cuba with a much-needed source of black gold.
Ending Venezuela’s alliance with Cuba has been a key goal of the Trump administration since Maduro’s capture, as the US president reportedly eyes a regime change in Cuba before the end of this year.
“It’s a failed nation, and they’re not getting any money from Venezuela, and they’re not getting any money from anyone,” Trump told reporters earlier this month, after he threatened tariffs on countries that sold or provided oil to Havana.
Washington has also blockaded Venezuela from shipping oil to Cuba since December, as it seeks to economically cripple the communist island.
Military members line up outside the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in Havana, Cuba, on Jan. 15, 2026. AP
A man wearing a jacket in the colors of Venezuela’s flag lines up to purchase fuel at a gas station in Havana, Cuba, on Feb. 6, 2026. APThe US government is “talking to Cuba, whose leaders should make a deal,” a White House official said, adding the Trump administration has “a very good relationship with the leaders of Venezuela” and that it believes Rodriguez’s “own self-interest aligns with advancing our key objectives.”
Rodriguez is treading very carefully, observers say.
“She wants to keep the Cubans at a distance until this situation calms down, until her hold on power is clear, but not entirely throw them under the bus, either,” said Frank Mora, who served as US ambassador to the Organization of American States under the Biden administration.
The Cuban government meanwhile said it was willing to talk on equal terms but slammed the oil blockade and pledged to resist US intervention.
With Post Wires
