Thirty-two Cubans killed during US attack on Venezuela

Cuba's president said military and intelligence operatives were providing protection to captured leader Nicolás Maduro.

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It described the dead as members of its armed forces and intelligence agencies were killed "in combat actions", declaring two days of national mourning.

The armed forces added the Cubans "fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of installations"

Cuba, a long-standing ally of Venezuela, has for years supplied Maduro with his personal security detail and has personnel throughout the Venezuelan military.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country had been providing protection to Maduro and his wife "at the request" of Venezuela.