A PRIEST IN ANAMBRA STATE WEDDED A COUPLE YESTERDAY, DESPITE DISPUTES WITH THE BRIDE’S FATHER. (PHOTOS).
An American military operation in Venezuela over the weekend killed 32 Cuban officers, the Cuban government confirmed Sunday, providing the first official casualty count from the U.S. strikes.
Cuba said the military and police personnel had been operating in Venezuela at the request of that country’s government, though the exact nature of their mission was not disclosed. Cuba has long been an ally of Venezuela, sending personnel to assist in military and security operations for years. Rumors of Cuban casualties circulated over the weekend before the official announcement.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, confirmed the deaths, stating there were no American casualties. The U.S. operation targeted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, seizing them to face prosecution on charges of involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. Venezuela’s government acknowledged that some people died in the strikes but did not provide specific figures.
Cuba declared two days of mourning for the officers who were killed. Condolences were sent by former leader Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, though the names and positions of the deceased were not immediately released. In an official statement, Cuba said the officers “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism” and died either resisting the attackers or from bombings at their facilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents are Cuban immigrants, highlighted Cuba’s long-standing involvement in Venezuela, noting that the country’s internal security operations and intelligence services have been heavily staffed by Cuban personnel, who have helped support Maduro’s government.
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