Washington, D.C. – January 5, 2026 – Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has signaled that Cuba could face similar pressure following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro, declaring that the communist island nation's "days are numbered."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday while traveling with President Donald Trump, Graham stated: "Just wait for Cuba. Cuba is a communist dictatorship that has killed priests and nuns, they have preyed on their own people, their days are numbered." He added, "We're going to wake up one day, I hope in 2026, in our backyard we're going to have allies in these countries doing business with America, not narco-terrorist dictators killing Americans."
Graham's comments come amid heightened U.S. assertiveness in Latin America after the January 3 operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," in which American forces conducted airstrikes on Venezuelan targets and extracted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas. The couple was flown to New York, where they are detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn ahead of federal court appearances on charges including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and related conspiracies from a longstanding indictment.
President Trump confirmed the "large-scale strike" and stated that the U.S. would temporarily "run" Venezuela to ensure a transition and restore its oil infrastructure, potentially with troops if needed. Maduro has denied the allegations, and Venezuelan officials have demanded their release, condemning the action as a violation of sovereignty.
In a related development, Cuba announced on Sunday that 32 of its citizens—military personnel, intelligence officers, and security forces—were killed during the U.S. operation while performing defense and security missions at Venezuela's request. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared January 5 and 6 as national days of mourning, honoring the fallen as "brave combatants" who died offering "fierce resistance" in combat or from bombings.
The Cuban government described the deceased as fulfilling duties with "dignity and heroism," condemning the U.S. actions as a "criminal attack" and "state terrorism." Havana's close alliance with Caracas includes longstanding security cooperation, with Cuban forces reportedly involved in protecting Maduro and supporting his internal apparatus.
Trump, commenting on the Cuban casualties aboard Air Force One, said: "You know, many Cubans lost their lives last night. They were protecting Maduro. That was not a good move." He suggested Cuba's regime is vulnerable without Venezuelan oil subsidies, stating the island "looks like it’s ready to fall" and "has no income" now.
Graham's remarks align with broader Republican support for the Venezuela operation, viewing Maduro's removal as a blow to regional adversaries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents fled Cuba, has accused Havana of "propping up" Maduro through security and intelligence aid.
The operation has elicited mixed international reactions: condemnation from allies like Russia, China, and some Latin American nations for breaching sovereignty, alongside cautious approval or silence from others welcoming Maduro's ouster amid his disputed 2024 reelection and economic crises.
Venezuela's interim leadership under Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has maintained operations, with the Supreme Court affirming continuity. Casualty reports vary, with Venezuelan sources citing around 80 deaths overall, including civilians.
Graham, a longtime foreign policy hawk and Trump ally, has previously advocated strong measures against authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere, framing the Venezuela action as advancing U.S. security by dismantling alleged "drug caliphates."
As Maduro faces arraignment, attention shifts to Venezuela's transition and potential ripple effects, including on Cuba's economy and stability. Trump's administration has restored hardline policies toward Havana, including terrorism sponsor designation and transaction restrictions.
This escalation underscores a renewed U.S. focus on the Western Hemisphere, invoking historical doctrines while raising debates over intervention legality and precedents.
