Caracas have not previously given a number for those killed, but the army posted a list of 23 names of its dead.

Venezuelan officials have said a large part of Maduro’s security contingent was killed “in cold blood,” and Cuba has said that its military and intelligence services in Venezuela were killed.

Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, detained alongside him, suffered a head injury during the US raid, Cabello said, and Maduro suffered an injury to his leg.

Venezuelans who praised him during his weekly show on state television as “courageous”, on Tuesday declared a week of mourning for members of the military killed in the raid.