HAVANA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Sunday that 32 Cubans were killed when defending Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during U.S. attack on Venezuela.

The Cuban president also declared a period of national mourning, noting that the fallen compatriots honorably fulfilled their duty and, through fierce resistance and heroic actions, embodied the spirit of solidarity shared by millions of Cubans.