Washington: US Sen. Lindsey Graham has declared that Cuba's "days are numbered" following a significant US military operation in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The operation, described by Washington as a "large-scale strike," has heightened tensions in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Sen. Graham made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling with US President Donald Trump. Graham criticized Cuba as a "communist dictatorship" and expressed hope that by 2026, the US would have allies in the region engaged in business with America, rather than dealing with "narco-terrorist dictators."
On Saturday, President Trump announced the US military's successful capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. He pledged to maintain American control over Venezuela, potentially with the deployment of US troops. Maduro and Flores were transported to New York and are currently detained in Brooklyn, facing US federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged collaboration with gangs labeled as terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied these allegations, and there have been calls from Caracas for the couple's release.
In response to the US intervention, Cuba reported that 32 of its combatants were killed, prompting President Miguel Diaz-Canel to declare January 5 and 6 as national days of mourning.