Sen. Lindsey Graham said Cuba’s government will collapse soon after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a weekend raid, marking a sharp escalation in American involvement in Latin America.

“Cuba is a communist dictatorship that’s killed priests and nuns. They’ve preyed on their own people. Their days are numbered,” the South Carolina Republican told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday.

Graham’s comments followed Saturday’s seizure of Maduro and his wife during a U.S. military operation at a Caracas base. President Donald Trump declared America would temporarily “run” Venezuela, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified the U.S. would limit involvement to enforcing existing oil sanctions.

The South Carolina senator, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has long advocated for aggressive action against communist governments in the Western Hemisphere. His foreign policy positions often align with Charleston-area military interests, including those at Joint Base Charleston and the Citadel, where defense officials have recently taken prominent Pentagon roles.

“Cuba is ready to fall,” Trump said later, drawing an enthusiastic “yes” from Graham. The president added that Cuba’s economy depends heavily on Venezuelan oil, making the island nation vulnerable following Maduro’s capture.

The administration’s hardline approach represents a dramatic shift from previous engagement policies. Trump has restored Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and imposed new restrictions on U.S. transactions with Cuban entities.

For South Carolina, the developments could affect trade relationships and military deployments. Charleston’s port handles significant Latin American cargo, while Joint Base Charleston serves as a staging area for Caribbean and South American operations.

Local defense contractors and military families could see increased activity if the administration expands operations beyond Venezuela. The state’s military installations have played key roles in previous Caribbean interventions.

Trump also targeted Colombia during his Air Force One remarks, calling President Gustavo Petro “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” The president demanded “total access” from Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

Graham has consistently pushed for stronger action against what he calls “narco-states” in the region. The senator sits on the Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on crime and terrorism, where he has held hearings on drug trafficking from South America.

“Cuba’s going down for the count,” Trump added, suggesting the administration views the Venezuelan operation as the first step in broader regional changes.

The State Department has not released details about potential Cuba operations, but administration officials have signaled interest in expanding pressure on the island’s government. Current sanctions already limit most American business and travel to Cuba.

South Carolina’s Cuban-American community, concentrated primarily in Charleston and Columbia, has long supported stronger action against the Castro regime. Local advocacy groups have praised Graham’s statements while calling for concrete military support for Cuban dissidents.

The senator’s foreign policy positions often reflect his state’s military connections. South Carolina hosts multiple installations involved in Latin American operations, from Special Operations forces at Fort Bragg to naval vessels that operate throughout the Caribbean.

Graham’s office did not respond to requests for comment about specific military plans or timelines for Cuba operations. Pentagon officials have declined to discuss operational details beyond the Venezuela mission.

The developments come as Charleston faces its own ongoing challenges with infrastructure and flooding, though Graham has focused heavily on foreign policy issues in recent months.

Local military analysts say any Cuba operation would likely involve South Carolina bases, given their proximity to the Caribbean and existing logistical capabilities. Joint Base Charleston has supported previous humanitarian and military missions to the region.

The administration’s broader Latin America policy includes renewed pressure on Nicaragua and threats against Mexico over drug trafficking. Graham has supported all these initiatives while calling for even stronger action.

Cuba has not responded officially to the threats, though state media has condemned the Venezuela operation as “imperialist aggression.” The island’s government has historically relied on Venezuelan oil subsidies to maintain power.

For more coverage of Graham’s positions and other political developments, the senator’s next public appearance is scheduled for a Charleston town hall meeting Thursday, where Cuba policy is expected to dominate questions from constituents.