Graham invokes 'Cuba Libre' as White House pressure on Havana mounts

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Lindsey Graham intensified his rhetoric against Cuba, declaring that the island’s “liberation” from communism could be imminent as tensions between Washington and Havana continue to rise.

“I believe the liberation of the wonderful people of Cuba from the clutches of communism is close at hand,” Graham wrote on X, before adding the slogan “Cuba Libre,” or “Free Cuba.”

The South Carolina Republican, long known for advocating aggressive US foreign policy, has repeatedly pushed for regime change in Cuba in recent months.

Earlier this year, following the US-backed ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Graham said Cuba’s communist government had its “days numbered.”

Trump administration increases pressure

The comments come amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump and senior administration officials on Havana.

Trump said this week that Cuba remained “on our mind” after the Justice Department charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro with murder-related offenses tied to historical incidents involving Cuban dissidents.

“It’s very important,” Trump told reporters, referring to Cuba policy and the concerns of Cuban Americans who want political change on the island.

At the same time, the president attempted to downplay fears of direct military escalation. “There won’t be escalation,” Trump said. “I don’t think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also taken a harder line against Havana, while still publicly insisting that diplomacy remains Washington’s preferred path. Rubio recently said the chances of a negotiated breakthrough with Cuba were “not high.”

Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba last week to deliver what the agency described as President Trump’s message that the US was willing to engage economically and on security issues but “only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.”

Cuba blames US sanctions for worsening crisis

The renewed US pressure campaign comes as Cuba grapples with a severe energy and economic crisis. The island has faced prolonged blackouts and fuel shortages amid tighter US sanctions and restrictions on oil shipments.

Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy recently acknowledged that the country had “absolutely no fuel, absolutely no diesel.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of imposing what he described as a “genocidal energy blockade” designed to create suffering and destabilize the government.

“It is a perverse design whose main objective is the suffering of the entire people,” Díaz-Canel said, arguing that the sanctions were aimed at turning Cubans against the state.

The Trump administration has continued expanding sanctions against Cuban political and military officials, arguing that Havana’s leadership has deepened ties with US adversaries and failed to address worsening conditions on the island.