Donald Trump has directed his attention towards Cuba, urging the country to reach a settlement with the US “before it becomes too late.” The US president cautioned Cuba about the halt in the flow of oil and financial assistance from Venezuela, its longstanding ally and primary oil provider. Venezuela reportedly supplies approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily to Cuba. Following the US military’s seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a raid on Caracas on January 3, Trump has pushed interim president Delcy Rodriguez to reroute Venezuelan oil to the US.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump mentioned, “Cuba has relied on significant amounts of oil and financial aid from Venezuela for many years. In return, Cuba offered ‘Security Services’ to the last two Venezuelan dictators, but that is no longer the case!” Trump emphasized that there will be a cessation of oil and financial assistance to Cuba, urging them to negotiate before it is too late.
Specific details regarding the type of agreement Trump is seeking from Cuba and the potential repercussions for Cuba remain undisclosed. Cuba has historically supplied various personnel to Venezuela, including doctors, nurses, military advisors, and members of Maduro’s security team. The Cuban government reported that 32 of its nationals, who served as Maduro’s bodyguards, were killed during the January 3 operation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel praised them as “brave Cuban combatants” who sacrificed their lives in confronting the attackers.
Trump further stated on Truth Social, “Most of those Cubans perished in the recent US attack, and Venezuela no longer requires protection from the individuals who previously held them captive. Venezuela now has the support of the United States of America, the most powerful military globally, to safeguard them, and safeguard them we shall.” The Cuban government has not yet responded to Trump’s recent ultimatums.
US intelligence reports have painted a grim outlook on Cuba’s economic and political situation. However, sources familiar with confidential assessments mentioned by Reuters have contradicted Trump’s assertion that Cuba is on the brink of collapse following Maduro’s capture.