To: Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Vienna, H.E. Pablo Berti Oliva
Condolences for the 32 Cuban combatants killed during the criminal attack by the United States on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
HONOR AND ETERNAL GLORY to each of the 32 brave Cuban combatants who were doing their duty in defense of Venezuela and protecting constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Combatant Cilia Flores, on January 3, 2026!
The Austria-Cuba Friendship Association expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the 32 Cuban combatants, victims of the ferocious illegal and terrorist attack by US forces, as well as to the people and government of the Republic of Cuba. They were killed while fulfilling their duty in defense of Venezuela and the protection of President Nicolás Maduro Moros and First Combatant Cilia Flores. The president and his wife were kidnapped, and more than 100 men and women, Cubans and Venezuelans, were killed during the attack. This is state terrorism by the United States, implementing the law of the strongest.
We strongly condemn this criminal aggression, which violates international law and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the kidnapping of the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and his wife. We demand their release and immediate return to Venezuela.
We also condemn and reiterate once again that the genocidal policy pursued by numerous US administrations, sustained and intensified for 65 consecutive years against Cuba, violates international law and must be lifted immediately, with compensation for the damage caused over more than six decades. We also demand that the US eliminate its list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, or at least remove Cuba from that spurious list. This economic, commercial, and financial blockade has not only caused billions in economic damage but also numerous deaths among the Cuban population.
We express our unwavering solidarity with the people and revolutionary government of the Republic of Cuba and demand:
Hands off Cuba and Venezuela!
Long live the Cuban Revolution!
Long live international solidarity!
Hermann Pernerstorfer
President of the AAAC
Vienna, January 18, 2026