05/01/2026
MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL BERMÚDEZ, President of the Republic
I HEREBY DECLARE: That pursuant to the provisions of Article 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and Article 24, paragraph x), of Law 136 on the President and Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, of October 28, 2020, I have considered the following:
WHEREAS: With profound sorrow, our people have learned that during the criminal attack perpetrated by the government of the United States against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, carried out in the early morning of January 3, 2026, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat, while fulfilling missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart agencies of that country.
Our compatriots honorably fulfilled their duty and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombings of the facilities, and through their heroic actions, they upheld the spirit of solidarity of millions of their compatriots.
THEREFORE: In the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 128, paragraph ñ), of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, I have decided to issue the following:
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1147
FIRST: To declare two days of National Mourning, from 6:00 a.m. on January 5 until midnight on January 6, 2026.
SECOND: To order that during the period of National Mourning, the Cuban flag be flown at half-mast on public buildings and military institutions.
THIRD: During the period of National Mourning, public performances and festive activities are suspended.
FOURTH: The Ministers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Interior, and Foreign Affairs are responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree.
PUBLISH in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba. Given at the Palace of the Revolution, on the 4th day of January 2026, Year of the Centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.
Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez President of the Republic