Thirty-two Cuban fighters killed in US raids on Venezuela

Cuba Declares Two Days of Mourning for Citizens Killed in US Operation

Havana has announced two days of mourning on January 5 and 6 to honor the 32 Cuban citizens who were killed during a US military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The state-run Prensa Latina agency reported that the Cuban “fighters” were killed while carrying out missions on behalf of Venezuela’s government.

Funeral arrangements for the deceased will be announced later, according to Havana officials. The US operation resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, who have been flown to New York to face prosecution on drug-related charges.

US President Donald Trump stated that “a lot of death occurred” during the raids, with a significant number of Cuban citizens killed. He also expressed support for Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, suggesting that a US military operation in the country could be beneficial.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the attack. Russia and China have criticized the US, calling the operation a “clear violation of international law.” Venezuela’s Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino stated that the US attack killed soldiers, civilians, and a large part of Maduro’s security detail in cold blood.

The Venezuelan government has activated its armed forces to guarantee sovereignty, while Cuba has sent military and police forces to assist in operations in the Latin American country. The US operation has sparked controversy, with many Western nations opposing Maduro’s ouster and questioning the legality of seizing a foreign head of state.

Source: Al Jazeera