Following the United States’ intervention in Venezuela, President Donald Trump’s focus has now shifted to Cuba. This Sunday, the U.S. president issued a direct ultimatum to the Castro regime, demanding that Havana «reach an agreement» with Washington «before it’s too late».
Trump warned that Cuba will no longer receive money and oil from Venezuela, resources that for years served as the Cuban government’s main economic lifeline. Later, aboard Air Force One, he confirmed that there are talks with the island: «We’re talking with Cuba». One of the groups I want to help is people who had to leave the country and are now U.S. citizens.
Trump accuses Cuba of protecting Chávez and Maduro
Thru his social media network Truth Social, Trump asserted that for years Cuba survived on Venezuelan oil and cash in exchange for providing «security services» to former presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
«For many years, Cuba survived thanks to enormous amounts of oil and cash from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided security services to Venezuela’s last two dictators, but that’s no longer the case», the U.S. president wrote.
Trump also claimed that most of those killed during the January 3 military operation in Caracas were Cubans protecting Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. According to figures from the Cuban government itself, 56 soldiers died, 32 of whom were of Cuban origin.
«There will be no more oil or money for Cuba», Trump warns
The president was emphatic in stating that Venezuela no longer needs Cuban protection, as it now has the backing of the U.S. military, which he described as «the most powerful in the world».
«There will be no more oil or money from Venezuela for Cuba! Zero! I suggest you reach an agreement before it’s too late», Trump declared.
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Cuba responds: «We are a free and sovereign nation»
The Cuban government reacted immediately. Thru several posts on the social media platform X, President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected Washington’s threats and defended the country’s sovereignty.
«Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. No one dictates what we should do. Cuba does not attack; it has been attacked by the United States for 66 years», the Cuban president wrote, reiterating that the country is prepared to defend itself «to the last drop of blood».
Trump hints at more interventions in America and around the world
Since the military operation in Caracas, Trump has hinted at possible actions in other parts of the continent and the world, including Greenland and Colombia. Furthermore, he has reiterated his conviction that the Castro regime is on the verge of collapse, without the need for direct military intervention.
According to Trump, the fall of the Maduro government and the end of Venezuelan economic support would precipitate the collapse of the Cuban regime.
«Cuba has stopped receiving income. All of its income came from Venezuela and Venezuelan oil», he said just one day after the operation in Caracas.
The U.S. maintains pressure but does not rule out other measures
Trump did not clarify whether he will impose new sanctions against Cuba, a country that has faced a U.S. economic embargo for more than six decades. Last Friday, during a meeting with oil executives, he noted that the Cuban regime is already “more than sanctioned.”
For his part, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Cuban leaders must decide between “living in a real country with a functional economy” or continuing with «a failed dictatorship that will lead to social collapse».
