IN FLIGHT - JANUARY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speak to the media aboard Air Force One enroute to Washington, DC on January 04, 2026. Trump is returning to the White House after giving the order for the United States law enforcement to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump has suggested that Cuba may soon experience significant political upheaval, stating that the island nation is “ready to fall.” His comments came during a press briefing aboard Air Force One on January 5, 2026, following the recent arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump characterized Maduro’s capture as a pivotal moment for the Western Hemisphere, implying it could lead to a shift in Cuba’s stability.
Trump indicated that Cuba can no longer depend on Venezuela for essential resources such as oil, funding, and security. “Cuba is ready to fall,” he said. “I don’t know if they’re going to hold out.” He expressed confidence that no military intervention would be required, explaining, “I think it’s just going to fall. It looks like it’s going down for the count.” This metaphor likened Cuba’s potential collapse to a fighter being counted out in a boxing match.
On the same day, reports emerged that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been taken into custody in connection with federal charges in New York linked to an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy. In a related statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Cuban operatives had safeguarded Maduro during his time in power. The Cuban government confirmed that 32 of its military and police personnel lost their lives during the operation to apprehend Maduro.
Trump acknowledged the loss of Cuban personnel, stating, “A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday. There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side.”
Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), who was also present on Air Force One, praised Trump’s remarks and expressed his belief that the days of the Cuban regime are numbered. “Cuba is a communist dictatorship that has killed priests and nuns; they have preyed on their own people,” Graham remarked. 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.”
The recent developments surrounding Maduro’s arrest and Trump’s comments have generated considerable attention, as they highlight the ongoing tensions between the United States and the Cuban government. The implications of these events could reshape the political landscape in the region, particularly given the historical context of U.S.-Cuba relations.
As the situation unfolds, observers are keenly watching how these developments may impact the future of Cuba and its governance, especially in light of Trump’s predictions about the island’s imminent challenges.
