WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to the government of Cuba on Sunday, amidst growing tensions following the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela. Cuba, which has historically relied on Venezuelan oil and financial support, could face significant instability now that those resources have been cut off.
In a social media post, Trump emphasized that the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela has changed drastically. He stated, “Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, BUT NOT ANYMORE!” Trump declared that there would be “NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA — ZERO!” and suggested that Cuba should negotiate a deal lest they face dire consequences. However, he did not clarify what kind of deal he was referring to.
The situation is exacerbated by U.S. military actions aimed at controlling Venezuela's oil production and distribution. The Cuban government reported that 32 of its military personnel were killed during the recent U.S. operation that captured Maduro. These personnel were in Venezuela as part of a longstanding agreement for security collaboration between Cuba and Venezuela, further emphasizing Cuba's reliance on its neighbor for stability.
Trump's statements highlighted his administration's increasingly aggressive stance against Cuba, which has been heavily subsidized by Venezuelan oil. Following Maduro's ousting, Cuba faces severe economic challenges, including severe blackouts and scarcity of essentials, leading to long lines at gas stations and supermarkets. Trump has previously warned that the Cuban economy, already crippled by a long-standing U.S. embargo, will further deteriorate in the wake of Maduro's removal.
As conditions in Cuba worsen, Trump described the situation as “going down for the count,” predicting an even graver economic crisis for the island nation. He asserted that Venezuela no longer requires protection from Cuban security, as he vowed that the United States would now be there to ensure stability in the region.
Moreover, Trump responded positively to a social media post suggesting that his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, could become the president of Cuba, stating, “Sounds good to me!” This underlines the administration's strategic orientation toward reshaping Cuba's political landscape following the upheaval in Venezuela.
As tensions rise and the situation unfolds, the future of both Cuba and Venezuela hangs in the balance, with implications for regional dynamics and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. Trump's continued focus on Cuba and Venezuela signals a commitment to curtailing support for regimes perceived as hostile to U.S. interests, shifting the geopolitical landscape in ways that could lead to significant changes in the region.
