The Cuban government says 32 of its citizens were killed during a United States operation aimed at seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement, Havana said the deceased were members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence services who died “in combat actions,” and announced two days of national mourning. Cuba’s armed forces added that the personnel “fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of installations.”
Cuba, a long-time ally of Venezuela, has for years provided Maduro with personal security and maintains personnel within the Venezuelan military.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the protection offered to Maduro and his wife was done “at the request” of the Venezuelan government.
According to US General Dan Caine, American intelligence agencies had been tracking Maduro’s movements for months prior to the operation.
He said US forces had gathered detailed information on where the Venezuelan leader lived, travelled, ate and worked.
The New York Times also reported that the CIA had recruited a Venezuelan source who allegedly disclosed Maduro’s precise location to US authorities.
Many of those killed are believed to have been part of Maduro’s close protection unit and were reportedly with him at the time of the operation.
While Venezuela has not confirmed the total number of casualties, its armed forces have acknowledged that a “large part” of Maduro’s security detail was among those killed.
Source: BBC
