Havana declares national mourning after 32 Cubans die in Venezuela

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that 32 Cuban nationals were killed while defending Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a US attack on Venezuela. 

Díaz-Canel stated that those who died had “faithfully carried out their security and defence duties with dignity and heroism,” embodying the “spirit of solidarity” shared by millions of Cubans, Caliber.Az reports via Cubadebate.

He said the casualties occurred after what he described as “fierce resistance,” either in direct combat with the attackers or as a result of bombing.

The Cuban government announced two days of national mourning, beginning at 6 a.m. on January 5 and ending at midnight on January 6. During the mourning period, flags are to be flown at half-mast and public events canceled.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said aboard Air Force One that many Cubans were killed during the operation aimed at capturing Maduro.

In an interview Trump gave to the New York Post on January 3, he said he is not considering additional military action against Cuba.

“No, Cuba is going to fall of its own volition. Cuba is doing very poorly,” Trump said.

Maduro and his wife have been flown to New York following the US operation to face prosecution on drug-related charges. The 63-year-old Venezuelan leader is due to appear in court on January 5.

By Sabina Mammadli