The NMSC, which comprises labour centres, civil society organisations and intellectuals, said the Cuban internationalists chose to fight rather than surrender despite being “overwhelmed by superior firepower.”
A Nigerian pro-people coalition, the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity With Cuba (NMSC), has accused the United States of killing 32 Cuban internationalists in Venezuela, describing the incident as an act of imperial aggression and a violation of international law.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by labour activist Owei Lakemfa, the group said the Cubans were killed on January 3, 2026, in Caracas while defending Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and what it described as the country’s sovereignty.
The NMSC, which comprises labour centres, civil society organisations and intellectuals, said the Cuban internationalists chose to fight rather than surrender despite being “overwhelmed by superior firepower.”
“In line with their culture and honour, even when overwhelmed with the superior fire power of 150 invading aircraft and United States soldiers, the Cubans preferred to fight and die rather than surrender and give up President Maduro,” the group said.
“This is in line with the admonition of Mexican humanist Emiliano Zapata who said: 'It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.'"
The group drew parallels with past historical episodes, recalling the 1983 United States-led invasion of Grenada, during which Cuban construction workers at the Point Salines Airport were killed, injured or captured after refusing to surrender.
"The Cubans had showed same exceptional courage when during the 1983 invasion of tiny Grenada by the USA and six other countries, Cuban construction workers building the Point Salines airport refused to surrender,” the group said.
“The invaders murdered twenty five of the Cuban workers, injured 59 and captured 683."
It also cited Cuba’s military involvement in Africa in the late 1980s, particularly in Angola, Namibia and South Africa, where Cuban forces fought against apartheid-era regimes backed by Western powers.
"This unmatchable sense of duty and honour was also displayed by the Cubans when in 1988 they fought in Africa to free the continent from the forces of Apartheid backed by the Western powers including the US, and United Kingdom. Thousands of Cuban youths sacrificed their precious lives to liberate Angola, Namibia and South Africa from apartheid.,” the statement claimed.
Beyond military engagements, the NMSC highlighted Cuba’s international medical missions, including its deployment of doctors to several countries, Nigeria included.
It praised Cuba’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Havana received passengers from the British cruise ship MS Braemar and dispatched thousands of medical personnel abroad.
"We condone with the families of the those killed in Venezuela and pray that the souls of the Cuban 32 rest in power,” the group said.
The NMSC further called on the United States government to “free President Maduro and his wife,” respect international law and halt what it described as repeated invasions of sovereign states.
It also aligned itself with the United Nations General Assembly’s longstanding resolutions calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba, demanding that sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela and other countries be lifted.
"Equally, we join the United States General Assembly which has for thirty three consecutive years (except 2020 during Covid-19) voted that the USA lifts its unilateral sanctions and embargo against Cuba. Indeed, we demand that the USA lifts its sanctions against all countries including Venezuela.
"Humanity deserves peace, progress and development not a cycle of conflicts, retrogression and general underdevelopment," the added.