Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of former President Trump, announced on Sunday that the liberation of Cuba is approaching, while showcasing a cap emblazoned with the phrase "Cuba Libre."
Speaking during an interview on Fox News, Graham stated, "I was in Miami. Do you see this cap? Cuba Libre. Keep watching!" His sentiment was underscored by showcasing another cap saying "Make Iran Great Again," highlighting the Trump administration's global campaign against adversaries.
Graham emphasized, "This is Ronald Reagan Plus; Donald Trump is resetting the world." This marked the second instance in recent days where Graham has alluded to a potential regime change in Cuba.
Last Sunday, Graham asserted that the Cuban regime's time is running out. "Cuba is next. They're going to fall. This communist dictatorship in Cuba has its days numbered," he declared in another Fox News interview.
One of Trump's staunchest allies in the Senate, Graham, drew parallels between Trump and Reagan, suggesting that Trump is poised to complete what Reagan could not.
Graham further commented on international affairs, saying, "We have the chance not only to take down the mothership of terrorism, Iran. We also have the opportunity to eliminate one of the most dangerous allies in the Middle East, Hezbollah," referencing the U.S. strike on Iran that targeted its top leadership, including Ayatollah Khamenei.
"Mr. President, do it. And do it now. They're weak. We can take them out, and we must," Graham urged.
In January, the South Carolina senator posted on X: "My advice to the communists ruling Cuba and oppressing their people: call Maduro and ask what to do... If you can get through, that is. If I were you, I'd be looking for a new place to live."
The Political Context Behind Graham's Statements
The political backdrop supports the senator's rhetoric. On January 29, Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency, citing Cuba as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security.
This directive authorizes the interception and inspection of vessels headed to the island and imposes tariffs on countries supplying oil, effectively cutting off Venezuela's flow of 27,000 to 35,000 barrels per day, a crucial energy source for the Cuban regime.
This initiative, dubbed 'Cubastroika,' aims to destabilize the regime through energy shortages and financial pressure by the end of 2026.
U.S. Chief of Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, encapsulated the strategy during a meeting with General Frank Donovan of U.S. Southern Command: "The dictatorship is going to end." Trump reiterated this stance on Saturday at the Shield of the Americas Summit, asserting that the Cuban regime is in its "final moments."
The January executive order also highlighted that Cuba hosts the largest Russian intelligence base outside Russia and maintains active military cooperation with China, justifying the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign on the regime led by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Understanding the U.S. Strategy Against Cuba
What is 'Cubastroika'?
'Cubastroika' is a strategy aimed at collapsing the Cuban regime through energy shortages and financial pressure, as outlined in an executive order signed by Trump.
Why does the U.S. see Cuba as a threat?
The U.S. perceives Cuba as a threat due to its hosting of a major Russian intelligence base and its military ties with China, along with its role in regional instability.