"An aircraft landed at Jose Martí International Airport on Thursday, carrying the coffins of 32 Cuban officers from Venezuela. According to official reports, the soldiers died ‘in the line of duty’ during the US operation that culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Cuban leader Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel were among those present for the arrival, before presiding over the official ceremony. Footage shows the return of the coffins draped with Cuban flags and escorted by an honour guard. The arrival took place at dawn, as a military band played the national anthem on the airport runway, in an atmosphere marked by respect and mourning. The ceremony was also attended by senior officers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), relatives of the deceased, and other Cuban government officials. During his remarks, Cuba’s Minister of the Interior Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas paid tribute to the fallen servicemen, highlighting their ‘heroism and dedication’ in carrying out their mission. "We gather to receive on our soil brothers who fell far from their home, but not from their duty. By welcoming their mortal remains, we renew before them the oath of loyalty to the homeland, to the unity of the peoples of Latin America," the official said. He noted that the deceased Cubans "did not give in, they did not doubt, they fought to the last bullet and offered their valuable lives in fulfillment of the mission entrusted." Following the ceremony at the airport, the remains were transferred to the headquarters of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, near the iconic Plaza of the Revolution, where the public will be allowed to pay their respects throughout the day."