HAVANA – The Cuban government confirmed on Sunday that 32 of its military officers were killed during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela over the weekend. This announcement marks the first official recognition of the casualties.

The statement, which was broadcast on Cuban state television, revealed that the Cuban officers were involved in a mission requested by the Venezuelan government. The nature of their assignment remains unclear, though Cuba has long been a staunch ally of Venezuela, frequently deploying its military and police personnel to support various operations.

“A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday,” U.S. President Donald Trump remarked to reporters while aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Washington on Sunday night. He noted, “There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side.”

The U.S. mission, carried out on Saturday, resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They are to be prosecuted on charges related to their alleged involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

The U.S. operation Saturday seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to face prosecution on an indictment accusing them of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Cuba’s government announced two days of mourning for the Cuban officers who were killed.

“Faithful to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombings of the facilities,” the official statement added.