WASHINGTON / HAVANA — With Operation Epic Fury devastating Iran’s military infrastructure and the high-profile capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January, the Trump administration’s sights are now shifting toward the final pillar of the so-called “Troika of Tyranny.”
On Monday, March 2, 2026, Senator Lindsey Graham explicitly named Cuba as the next nation in the U.S. regime-change crosshairs, declaring that the “days of communist dictatorships are numbered.”
My advice to the commies running Cuba and oppressing its people: Call Maduro and ask him what to do…If you can get through, that is.
If I were you, I’d be looking for a new place to live. pic.twitter.com/i4U50O5DV8
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 11, 2026
The Lindsey Graham Declaration: “Cuba is Next”
In a viral interview on Fox News, Senator Graham praised President Trump’s recent aggressive foreign policy maneuvers.
- The “Gold Standard”: Graham referred to Trump as the “gold standard” for foreign policy, arguing he is finishing the work Ronald Reagan started.
- Direct Threat: “Maduro—everybody talked about him—well, Donald Trump’s got him in jail,” Graham said. “Cuba’s next. They’re gonna fall. This communist dictatorship, their days are numbered.”
- The Strategy: Insiders suggest the “roll” the administration is on—following the successful abduction of Maduro and the decapitation of the Iranian leadership—has emboldened the White House to consider a “friendly takeover” or a more direct intervention in Havana.
Trump’s “Doomsday” Ultimatum to Hamas
While Cuba looms on the horizon, the President has also issued a final “doomsday” warning to Hamas regarding the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan.
- Disarm or Face “The Hard Way”: Trump stated that Hamas must honor its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization.
- The Deadline: Reports from Jerusalem suggest a 60-day deadline (the “ultimatum”) is being finalized. If Hamas refuses to surrender all weapons and tunnel maps, Trump warned they would face the same “punishing strikes” currently being seen in Tehran.
Why Cuba? The Strategic Reasoning
The renewed focus on Havana is not merely ideological; it is tied to the collapse of the Maduro regime in Venezuela:
- The Maduro Link: Cuba was the primary security and intelligence backbone for Nicolás Maduro. With Maduro currently awaiting trial in a New York court on narco-terrorism charges, his Cuban patrons are seen as vulnerable.
- Russia & China Influence: The U.S. is increasingly concerned that Cuba could serve as a “floating base” for Russian or Chinese intelligence, especially as the Iran war draws U.S. resources toward the Middle East.
- Domestic Politics: With 2026 being a crucial year for consolidating political support, the “liberation of Cuba” is a powerful narrative for the influential Cuban-American voting bloc in Florida.
International Reaction: “A Return to Imperialism”
The prospect of a three-front “regime change” policy (Venezuela, Iran, and now Cuba) has triggered intense debate:
- Supporters: Figures like John Bolton and Marco Rubio argue that removing these regimes is the only way to ensure permanent stability in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East.
- Critics: Several European nations and the UN have expressed “extreme alarm,” with some calling the kidnapping of a sitting president (Maduro) and the bombardment of Iran “naked imperialism” that bypasses international law.
You May Also Like:
