Cuban security advisers and medical personnel have begun leaving Venezuela as the government of Delcy Rodriguez faces growing pressure from Washington to weaken the long-standing alliance between Caracas and Cuba, according to 11 sources familiar with the situation.
Four of the sources said Rodriguez has shifted her personal security to Venezuelan bodyguards, a departure from previous presidents who relied heavily on elite Cuban protection units. Both former president Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, depended on Cuban forces as part of a deep security partnership that began in the late 2000s.
The Cuban government reported that 32 of its personnel were killed during a U.S. military operation that captured Maduro on January 3. Those forces had been embedded in Venezuela’s intelligence and counterintelligence apparatus, playing a key role in maintaining government control and suppressing opposition activity.
Sources indicate that some Cuban advisers have been removed from positions within Venezuela’s security structures, and a number of Cuban medical workers and security staff have returned to Havana in recent weeks. One source close to the Venezuelan ruling party said the departures were ordered by Rodriguez in response to U.S. pressure, though others were unsure whether the exits were voluntary or directed by Cuban authorities.
The security and intelligence partnership between Caracas and Havana has been a cornerstone of Venezuela’s political system for years. Analysts note that Cuban advisers played a significant role in strengthening Venezuela’s intelligence capabilities and helping the government monitor political dissent.
Washington has long sought to weaken ties between the two countries. After the U.S. operation against Maduro, Donald Trump declared that the security relationship between Cuba and Venezuela would no longer continue. U.S. officials have also imposed restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, aiming to limit Havana’s economic resources.
A White House representative said the United States maintains constructive dialogue with Venezuelan leaders and believes Rodriguez’s interests align with broader stability objectives. However, Washington continues to pursue policies designed to reduce Cuban influence in Venezuela and pressure Havana’s government.
Cuba’s government has denied that its personnel are being forced out and maintains that cooperation with Venezuela remains intact. Both nations have publicly reaffirmed their partnership, though sources suggest the relationship is evolving under mounting geopolitical pressure.
Experts say Rodriguez is navigating a delicate political landscape. While distancing herself from Cuban security forces could ease U.S. concerns, a complete break with Havana risks destabilizing longstanding political networks in Caracas.
Some Cuban military advisers remain in Venezuela, and Cuban medical professionals continue to provide healthcare services. Analysts believe intelligence personnel may also stay in the country to monitor political developments.
The shifting security arrangement highlights broader tensions between Washington and Havana. U.S. officials argue that reducing Cuban involvement in Venezuela is part of a strategy to promote political change in the region, while Cuba insists that external pressure violates national sovereignty.
Neither the Cuban nor Venezuelan governments provided immediate comment on the reported departures. Publicly, both sides insist that bilateral cooperation remains strong despite evolving circumstances.
Observers note that while Cuban influence in Venezuela may be diminishing, the legacy of the partnership continues to shape Caracas’s political and security institutions. The long-term impact of these changes remains uncertain as geopolitical pressures intensify.