Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, ultimately captured by the United States despite the protection of Cuban elite agents [Reuters Yonhap News Agency. Republication and database prohibited]Analysis suggests that Cuba, once considered the "elite" in intelligence operations, has suffered a blow to its prestige after the Donald Trump administration arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

Although Cuban agents were dispatched to Venezuela to protect President Maduro, they failed to secure him and Cuba also lost 32 agents.

The U.S. daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 5th (local time) that the U.S. capture of President Maduro revealed vulnerabilities in Cuba's intelligence agencies.

President Maduro was one of the individuals most importantly protected by Cuban agents.

However, when U.S. special forces raided Maduro's safe house around 2 a.m. on the 3rd and arrested the president and his wife, it tarnished the reputation Cuban intelligence agents had built over decades.

Thirty-two Cuban agents died during the protection of President Maduro.

In contrast, there were no U.S. casualties. President Trump stated that there was no loss of U.S. military equipment.

For decades, Cuban intelligence agents were "stars" of the Cold War. They foiled assassination plots against Fidel Castro, recruited high-ranking U.S. officials, and protected heads of state in countries like Angola and Panama.

Cuba's "expertise" in protecting allies, detecting social unrest, and suppressing anti-government movements was a form of "export." The Soviet intelligence agency KGB relied on Cuba to build its intelligence network across Latin America and Africa.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, as Cuba faced economic difficulties, it sought its next "export destination" in oil-rich Venezuela.

Senior Cuban intelligence and military experts, including Ascdruval de la Vega, were reportedly leading the security team in Venezuela. De la Vega was a close confidant who shadowed President Maduro like a shadow, even sleeping in the room next to him. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Despite the U.S. threats for months, Cuba ultimately failed to protect President Maduro.

Maria Varela, author of "Cuba's Intervention in Venezuela," described the event as "Cuba's defeat" and stated that it "exposed vulnerabilities in Cuba's security procedures."

Jorge Castañeda, former Mexican Foreign Minister, pointed out, "What is more serious is that they were unable to inflict any damage on the United States," adding, "This means Cuba does not have the capabilities it needs."

This incident is also expected to potentially damage the regime internally in Cuba.

Especially amid worsening economic conditions, the situation could become more problematic if Venezuela's economic support and supply of cheap oil are cut off, the WSJ reported.