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President Trump Issues Stark Warning to Cuba as Venezuela Crisis Deepens
President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Cuba on Sunday, issuing a blunt warning to the island nation as it faces potential economic collapse following the removal of Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s leader.
Speaking from his West Palm Beach residence in Florida, Trump declared via social media that Cuba’s long-standing relationship with Venezuela, which has been crucial to the island’s economic survival, would no longer sustain them. “Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, BUT NOT ANYMORE!” Trump stated emphatically.
The president’s warning comes as American forces continue to seize Venezuelan oil tankers, disrupting the flow of petroleum products that have been a lifeline for Cuba’s struggling economy. Venezuela has been a key supplier of subsidized oil to Cuba for years, an arrangement that has helped prop up the communist-run island despite decades of U.S. sanctions.
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump continued, adding ominously, “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” though he did not specify what kind of arrangement he was proposing.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel quickly responded to Trump’s threats on social media platform X, stating that “those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, absolutely in any way.”
The exchange follows Cuba’s announcement that 32 of its military personnel were killed during the American operation that captured Maduro last weekend. According to Cuban officials, these personnel from the country’s two main security agencies were in Caracas as part of a bilateral agreement between the two allied nations.
Trump framed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela as protection from “thugs and extortionists,” promising that “Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will.”
In what appeared to be a provocative aside, Trump also responded positively to a social media post suggesting that Marco Rubio, his secretary of state, might become president of Cuba, commenting: “Sounds good to me!”
The increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward Cuba comes at a particularly vulnerable moment for the island nation, which was already experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades before Maduro’s ouster. Cuban citizens have been enduring severe blackouts, fuel shortages, and long lines at supermarkets as the country’s economy deteriorates.
Díaz-Canel defended his country’s political choices, stating, “Those who hysterically accuse our nation today do so out of rage at this people’s sovereign decision to choose their political model.” He criticized those who “blame the Revolution for the severe economic shortages we suffer,” pointing instead to what he called “draconian measures” imposed by the United States.
The impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuba has been substantial. The Cuban government claims these restrictions have cost the country more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025 alone, exacerbating already dire economic conditions.
Trump’s warning that Cuba is “going down for the count” suggests the administration believes the loss of Venezuelan support, combined with continued U.S. pressure, could trigger significant instability in the communist state.
The Venezuelan-Cuban relationship has been crucial for both countries: Venezuela has provided desperately needed oil to Cuba, while Cuba has offered security expertise, intelligence support, and medical personnel to Venezuela. With Maduro’s removal and American forces controlling Venezuelan oil distribution, this mutually beneficial arrangement appears to have collapsed.
As the situation unfolds, many regional experts are concerned about the potential for widespread unrest in Cuba as economic conditions deteriorate further, potentially creating a new humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean.
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14 Comments
Losing Venezuelan oil would be a major blow to Cuba. They’ll need to find alternative energy sources or economic partnerships quickly to avoid a full-blown crisis.
It’s unclear what kind of ‘deal’ Trump has in mind, but the threat of ‘zero’ oil and money suggests he wants significant concessions from Cuba.
This seems like an attempt by the Trump administration to further isolate Cuba and force political change. But history shows that economic coercion often backfires.
Hopefully Cuba and the US can find a diplomatic solution that eases tensions and helps the Cuban people, rather than just serving American interests.
Disrupting Cuba’s oil supply from Venezuela could have serious economic consequences. The communist government may have to make difficult choices to keep the economy afloat.
I wonder if this is part of a broader strategy to pressure Cuba into political reforms or concessions. The US has long sought regime change on the island.
The Venezuela-Cuba relationship has been crucial for the communist island’s survival. With that lifeline cut, Cuba will have to get creative to keep its economy afloat.
I wonder if Cuba could turn to allies like China or Russia to replace Venezuelan oil and investment. That may be difficult given US sanctions pressure.
The geopolitical tensions around Venezuela and Cuba are quite complex. I hope any deal reached can benefit both countries and the people, not just serve US interests.
Given the history, I’m skeptical that the Trump administration will offer Cuba a fair deal. They seem more intent on punishing the island rather than finding a diplomatic solution.
Losing Venezuelan oil would be a major blow to Cuba’s economy. The government may have to make tough choices to secure alternative energy sources and trading partners.
It’s unclear what ‘deal’ Trump wants from Cuba, but it’s likely to involve significant concessions from the communist government.
Interesting to see how the removal of Maduro could impact Cuba’s economy. Curious to see if Havana can reach a deal with the US before losing its Venezuelan oil lifeline.
I wonder what kind of deal Trump has in mind. Likely a major concession from Cuba to ease sanctions and restore relations.