Cuba honours its 32 fallen heroes

Photos via Estudios Revolución

Via Granma & the Communist Party of Cuba, translated from the Spanish

For Cuba, January 15, 2026, will always be marked by profound sorrow and, at the same time, by the pride that arises in the Homeland as it embraces its children who have perished to live on in honour eternally.

On Thursday morning, the José Martí International Airport in Cuba received the courageous fighters who lost their lives in Venezuela due to the aggression of the United States government. And present there were Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader at the head of the Cuban Revolution; and the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

The military ceremony to welcome the comrades who offered their lives in the line of duty, was also attended by the members of the Political Bureau Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State; the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz; the Secretary of Organization, Roberto Morales Ojeda; and the ministers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Army Corps Generals Álvaro López Miera and Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, respectively.

The tribute included other members of the Political Bureau, notably featuring the presence of Commander of the Rebel Army, José Ramón Machado Ventura, and the ambassador to Cuba from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Orlando Maneiro Gaspar.

Just a few steps apart, embracing and holding onto one another, were the relatives of the 32 courageous men: sons, fathers, brothers, husbands—men who remained true to their duty, even at great personal cost, even if it meant sacrificing everything.

Beyond the chords of the General Staff brass band, the sobs could be heard; Everyone had set their eyes on the aircraft located at one end of the esplanade. There was no stridency; the troops had embraced the solemn mood, and over the days, a quiet sadness had gradually settled across their faces.

The soldiers then started to descend, holding in their arms the urns containing the mortal remains of the heroes, draped with the lone star flag—the very flag they defended in the lands of Bolívar and Chávez. Defending Venezuela was also a way of defending ourselves, a response befitting the historical legacy of the Cuban people.

The remains were laid to rest in six harmonies, accompanied by a courage that cannot be contained in urns or words. The vehicles took their positions in front of the troop formation. As the National Anthem, our war march, played, three volleys of rifle fire echoed through the air terminal.

Following a moment of silence, Army Corps General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas addressed the gathering with sensitivity and respect, honoring fallen comrades. He, along with all of Cuba, reaffirmed the oath of loyalty to the Homeland and the unity of the peoples of America.

"We do not receive them with resignation," he stated, "we do it with profound pride and unwavering commitment because we understand, and the people of Cuba have learned through the most challenging trials, that death does not conquer those who fall with a rifle in hand defending a just cause. (…) They carry with them the enduring example of dedication, bravery, and loyalty to the highest ideals of humanity."

He recalled those difficult hours in which the ruthless attack cast a shadow over Venezuela, and underlined the brotherhood that unites Cuba to that land, where Bolívar and Martí, Chávez and Fidel are intertwined.

Cuba, the Minister of the Interior reaffirmed, does not forsake its children, does not compromise its principles, does not surrender, and in the presence of their relatives, history, and the Army General declares that "on Cuban soil there will never be room for cowardice and betrayal."

According to Álvarez Casas, the enemy enthusiastically discusses high-precision operations and elite troops. But we are thinking of children who will have to grow up without the embrace of those who sacrificed their lives with them in mind.

And he reiterated a certainty: imperialism may have sophisticated weapons, but it will never be able to purchase the dignity of the Cuban people.

"We will always remember them in every effort, in every challenge, in every victory (...) You are an example of honour. They are a lesson for those who hesitate, a warning for those who threaten," he concluded.

We must not forget that "when a strong and determined people weep, injustice trembles."

With their heads held high, as the 32 men who have now permanently etched their names on the altar of the Homeland fell, the soldiers left the fallen to receive the people's embrace.

HONOUR AND GLORY!

On Thursday evening, the Army General, alongside President Díaz-Canel, conducted the final honor guard for the combatants at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces headquarters. This was part of the heartfelt tribute by the people to the heroes who fell in fierce combat in Venezuela.

In front of each urn, Raúl honored the memory of the 32 courageous comrades laid to rest there, who have become symbols of the mambisa and rebellious spirit of Cubans.

Honours were also paid to our martyrs by members of the Politburo, other leaders of the Party, the State, the Government, political and mass organizations, as well as the main leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior.

Despite the heavy rain that accompanied the capital's residents for nearly the entire day, thousands of women and men still participated in the day of honour and glory as Cuba embraced its heroes.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC