Overview
- Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before a Manhattan federal judge after being transported to the United States to face narcotics and weapons charges.
- Speaking on Air Force One, Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters that Cuba’s communist leadership is nearing its end, while President Trump said Cuba looks ready to fall and depends on Venezuela.
- Cuba’s presidency condemned the operation in a Facebook statement, labeling it a criminal attack and describing those killed as victims of state terrorism.
- Media reports diverged on casualties from the raid, with the New York Post citing 32 deaths among island security forces and The New Republic describing roughly 80 killed, while the Post reported no U.S. losses.
- Graham signaled broader regime-change ambitions in media appearances, including donning a “Make Iran Great Again” hat on Fox News to voice support for pressure on Tehran.