International
Florida’s ‘Tidal Wave’ operation detains 10,400 migrants in largest ICE joint effort
Florida’s Tidal Wave immigration enforcement operation has resulted in the detention of 10,400 migrants, mostly from Mexico, Central America and Venezuela, since it began eight months ago in coordination with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday.
“This is the largest joint immigration law enforcement operation in the history of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and we are proud that it will continue here in Florida,” the Republican governor said during a news conference in Sanderson, in northern Florida.
According to Florida authorities, Guatemala accounts for the largest number of detainees, with 3,435 arrests, followed by Mexico (3,331), Honduras (1,353), El Salvador (312) and Venezuela (also 312). Officials did not specify the countries of origin for the remaining detainees.
Nearly two-thirds of those arrested — 63% — had a prior criminal conviction or previous arrest, including violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives and individuals who “pose a serious public safety threat,” according to an infographic shared by DeSantis.
In addition, Florida transferred 1,916 detainees to “Alligator Alcatraz,” the migrant detention facility opened by the state government last July in the Everglades, a natural area west of Miami surrounded by alligators, snakes and other wildlife.
“Many of the more than 10,000 individuals arrested in this operation were attempting to prey on our children. Rest assured, our state prosecutors will make sure these criminals spend significant time behind bars before being sent back to where they came from,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.
Officials emphasized that Florida has become a flagship state for the Trump administration’s second-term immigration policy, leading the nation in the number of 287(g) agreements, which formalize cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.
International
Justice Department Misses Deadline as Millions of Epstein Files Remain Under Review
The U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday that it is continuing to review more than two million documentspotentially linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month, the department began releasing records from its decades-long investigation into Epstein, a wealthy financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors.
However, the Justice Department failed to meet the legal deadline established by the so-called Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required all related documents to be made public no later than December 19.
In a letter sent Monday to a federal judge, the department stated that more than two million documents remain “at various stages of review.”
According to the filing, authorities have so far released approximately 12,285 documents totaling more than 125,000 pages, in compliance with the law. Those materials, however, represent less than 1 percent of the total volume currently under review.
International
Beijing Says International Support Strengthens Its Position on Taiwan Sovereignty Issue
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, stated at a regular press briefing that several dozen countries have expressed support for China’s actions following recent countermeasures and military drills concerning the Taiwan region. These comments were made as Beijing continues to defend its stance on Taiwan after large-scale military exercises by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the island
According to the official statement, countries including Russia, Cuba, Serbia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and others publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, reiterated their opposition to external interference in China’s internal affairs, and voiced support for China’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lin emphasized that these countries specifically noted that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that “the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair,” adding that any form of Taiwanese independence must be rejected. He also praised these nations for their firm diplomatic support.
The spokesperson reiterated China’s position that it will remain steadfast in defending its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and warned that any provocations concerning the Taiwan question would be met with a firm response.
International
Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez sued in Florida over alleged kidnapping, torture and terrorism
U.S. citizens have revived a lawsuit in Miami against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following his capture, as well as against Vice President and now acting leader Delcy Rodríguez and other senior Chavista officials, whom they accuse of kidnapping, torture, and terrorism.
The plaintiffs — including U.S. citizens who were kidnapped in Venezuela and two minors — filed a motion over the weekend before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida asking the court to declare the defendants in default for failing to respond to the lawsuit initially filed on August 14, 2025, according to court documents made public on Monday.
The case, assigned to Judge Darrin P. Gayles, accuses the Venezuelan leaders of violating the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the Florida Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
In addition to Maduro and Rodríguez, the lawsuit names Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López; Attorney General Tarek William Saab; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maikel Moreno; and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
The complaint also lists the state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and former Electricity Minister Néstor Reverol as defendants.
According to the filing, Maduro “committed flagrant acts of terrorism against U.S. citizens,” citing the criminal case in New York in which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in court for the first time on Monday following their arrest on Saturday.
The lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs “were held captive by Maduro” with “illegal material support” from the other defendants, whom it identifies as members of the Cartel of the Suns, a group designated by the United States as a terrorist organization last year.
Justice Department Misses Deadline as Millions of Epstein Files Remain Under Review
Beijing Says International Support Strengthens Its Position on Taiwan Sovereignty Issue
Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez sued in Florida over alleged kidnapping, torture and terrorism
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International3 days agoU.S. faces worst flu season in decades as new strain spreads nationwide
-
Central America3 days agoEl Salvador reports safest year in its history, security cabinet says
-
International3 days agoDelcy Rodríguez, key figure in U.S.-Venezuela transition, remains under EU sanctions
-
International3 days agoMaduro, Delcy Rodríguez sued in Florida over alleged kidnapping, torture and terrorism
-
International3 days agoU.S. Energy Secretary to meet oil executives on reviving Venezuela’s crude industry
-
International3 days agoChina urges immediate release of Maduro, seeks emergency UN security council meeting
-
International3 days agoColombia to maintain anti-drug cooperation with U.S. after Trump remarks
-
International4 days agoMarco Rubio warns Cuba could be Trump administration’s next target
-
International3 days agoColombia says border with Venezuela remains calm after U.S. arrest of Maduro
-
International18 hours agoBeijing Says International Support Strengthens Its Position on Taiwan Sovereignty Issue
-
International16 hours agoJustice Department Misses Deadline as Millions of Epstein Files Remain Under Review