Web Desk (MNN); United States President Donald Trump has declared that Cuba will no longer receive Venezuelan oil or financial support and has called on the communistārun island to negotiate a deal with Washington ābefore it is too late,ā escalating pressure on a longāstanding geopolitical rival.
Trump announced the new policy on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, stating that āthere will be no more oil or money going to Cuba ā zero!ā and urging the Cuban government to reach an agreement with the United States. He said Cuba depended for many years on large amounts of oil and money from Venezuela, though he did not elaborate on the terms of his suggested deal.
The move comes after US forces captured Venezuelan President NicolƔs Maduro in a major January operation, contributing to an effective oil blockade on the OPEC nation. Since then, no Venezuelan oil shipments have departed for Cuba, which has historically relied on Caracas as its largest supplier.
Trumpās message included a repost on Truth Social hinting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio could become the president of Cuba, a suggestion the president endorsed with the comment āSounds good to me!ā
Cubaās leadership responded defiantly. President Miguel DĆazāCanel rejected Trumpās threats on social media, asserting Cubaās sovereignty and rejecting external diplomatic pressure. He stressed that Cuba does not accept dictation on its foreign policy and emphasised the islandās readiness to defend itself.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno RodrĆguez denounced US actions as hegemonic and criminal, asserting Cubaās right to import fuel from any willing trading partners and denying that the island received material compensation for providing security services to Venezuela in the past.
Analysts warn that cutting off Venezuelan oil could exacerbate Cubaās existing energy shortages and economic crisis, which already includes frequent blackouts and scarcity of basic goods. Some alternative supplies have come from Mexico, but volumes remain limited.
Trumpās ultimatum reflects broader US efforts to reshape regional alliances following Venezuelaās political upheaval, though the precise consequences for Cubaās economy and diplomatic relations remain uncertain.
