Donald Trump has turned his attention to Cuba, encouraging the country to negotiate with the US “before it’s too late.” The US president has cautioned Cuba that the supply of oil and money from Venezuela – its longstanding ally and primary oil provider – will be halted. Venezuela reportedly sends approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily to Cuba. Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by US forces in Caracas on January 3, Trump has pushed interim president Delcy Rodriguez to reroute Venezuelan oil to the US.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Cuba has relied on significant amounts of oil and money from Venezuela for many years. In exchange, Cuba offered ‘Security Services’ for the past two Venezuelan dictators, but not anymore! There will be no more oil or money going to Cuba – zero! I highly recommend they make a deal before it’s too late.”
The specifics of the deal Trump is seeking from Cuba and the potential consequences for the country have not been disclosed.
Cuba has historically provided personnel to Venezuela, including doctors, nurses, military advisors, and members of Maduro’s security team. The Cuban government confirmed that 32 of its nationals, who served as Maduro’s bodyguards, were killed during the January 3 operation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel hailed these individuals as “brave Cuban combatants” who would be remembered for their valor in confronting the assailants in military attire.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned, “Most of those Cubans perished in last week’s US attack, and Venezuela no longer requires protection from the criminals and extortionists who held them captive for so long. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the world’s most dominant military force, to safeguard them, and safeguard them we shall.”
The Cuban government has yet to respond to Trump’s latest declarations. US intelligence reports have depicted a grim outlook on Cuba’s economic and political situation, but sources familiar with confidential assessments have indicated that there is scant evidence supporting Trump’s assertion that the nation is on the brink of collapse following Maduro’s capture.