British News Agency

In a decree issued by President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s office declaring two days of national mourning, it said Cubans in Venezuela were killed “after fierce resistance in direct clashes with the attackers or as a result of the bombing of facilities.”

“Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who died confronting terrorists in imperial uniforms who abducted Venezuela’s president and his wife and illegally removed them from the country.”

According to the decree, the Cubans “were carrying out tasks on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior at Venezuela’s request.”

A statement read on Cuban state television said military and police forces were in the country at the Venezuelan government’s request. Former president Raúl Castro and President Díaz-Canel expressed condolences to the families. The names and roles of the deceased were not immediately released.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Maduro’s internal security apparatus is run by Cubans and “supports Maduro.”

Rubio added: “All the guards and all the intelligence agencies that helped protect Maduro were made up of Cubans.”