—Terrence Dorner, B1Daily

Venezuela entered a period of national mourning on Wednesday as the country’s military held a mass funeral in Caracas, honoring dozens of soldiers killed during what officials describe as a U.S. military operation carried out over the weekend to capture former President Nicolás Maduro. Draped in Venezuelan flags, the coffins were lined in solemn rows as uniformed officers, grieving families, and senior government figures gathered to commemorate what the state has framed as a direct assault on the nation’s sovereignty.

According to Venezuela’s armed forces, at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during the late-night operation, which they say involved U.S. forces entering Venezuelan territory under the cover of darkness. Officials claim the mission’s objective was to seize Maduro and transfer him to the United States to face long-standing drug trafficking charges. The military characterized the operation as violent, coordinated, and executed without regard for civilian life, alleging that both officers and noncombatants were among the dead.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab addressed the nation following the funeral proceedings, stating that prosecutors would formally investigate the killings as a potential war crime. Saab asserted that the deaths represented a grave violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty, emphasizing that the scale of the casualties extended beyond uniformed personnel. While he did not clarify whether the full estimate of deaths referred exclusively to Venezuelans, he stressed that civilians were also caught in the violence, further inflaming public anger and grief.

The ceremony itself was heavy with symbolism. Military honors were rendered as gun salutes echoed through the capital, and senior commanders spoke of sacrifice, duty, and resistance. In a statement released earlier in the week, the Venezuelan military framed the fallen soldiers as martyrs who died defending the nation against foreign aggression. “Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength,” the statement read, underscoring a narrative of resilience rather than retaliation. The message went on to reaffirm the armed forces’ loyalty to Maduro, whom they continue to refer to as the country’s legitimate president, and vowed to dismantle what they described as terrorist groups operating from abroad.

State media amplified these themes throughout the day, broadcasting images of grieving families and emotional tributes from fellow soldiers. Commentators portrayed the operation as the latest chapter in a long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America, arguing that Venezuela had once again become a target for regime change under the guise of law enforcement. The government insisted that the incident would not weaken national resolve but instead strengthen unity between the military and civilian population.

Internationally, the incident threatens to further escalate already strained relations between Caracas and Washington. Venezuelan officials signaled that they would raise the issue in international forums, seeking condemnation and accountability for what they describe as an unlawful act of aggression. For now, the focus inside the country remains on mourning the dead, honoring their service, and reinforcing a message of defiance in the face of what the government claims was a brazen violation of its sovereign soil.

—Terrence Dorner, B1Daily