Graham Praises Trump’s Escalation on Venezuela as U.S. Expands Military and Intelligence Actions

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Saturday applauded President Trump’s intensifying pressure on Venezuela, praising a growing U.S. military presence in the region and signaling support for potential further action “very soon.” Graham described Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as presiding over what he called a “narcoterrorist state,” and accused Maduro of forging ties with international terrorist groups.

Echoing administration rhetoric, Graham called Maduro “an illegitimate leader” who “maintains control of Venezuela by a reign of terror.” The Venezuelan government has rejected those accusations.

“I very much appreciate and respect the determination by President Trump to deal with the drug caliphate countries that inhabit our backyard — chief among them Venezuela,” Graham wrote on X. “President Trump’s strong commitment to end this madness in Venezuela will save countless American lives and will give the beautiful people of Venezuela a new lease on life.”

Earlier in the week the president declared Venezuelan airspace “CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” following a Federal Aviation Administration advisory urging pilots to “exercise caution” near Venezuelan airspace amid what the FAA described as a worsening security situation and heightened military activity.

Operations and Allegations

Under an initiative called Operation Southern Spear, the administration has increased its forces in the region. Since September, U.S. officials say the Department of Defense has struck multiple vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics toward the United States; U.S. officials report more than 80 people have died in those strikes. The White House has also reportedly authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.

As part of the buildup, U.S. Marine Corps units are conducting joint training exercises with Trinidad and Tobago’s defense forces. Administration officials have publicly accused Maduro of leading the so-called Cartel de los Soles, an alleged criminal network within Venezuela’s military; the U.S. designated the group a foreign terrorist organization earlier this month.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Cartel de los Soles and other groups in Venezuela are “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.” Maduro and his government have denied these characterizations.

On Thursday, President Trump said he was close to taking action against Venezuela and warned that interdictions would expand from sea to land. “The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon,” he said. “Stop sending poison to our country.”

This escalation reflects a significant shift in U.S. posture toward Venezuela, combining public accusations, diplomatic pressure, a designated terrorist listing, a stronger military presence, and reported covert activity. Observers say the moves raise tensions in the region and could complicate prospects for a negotiated resolution.