Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued strong warnings to Cuba, highlighting the island nation’s longstanding reliance on Venezuelan oil and financial support. In a viral post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Cuba, which has depended on Venezuela for revenue and crude supplies for years, must reach an agreement with the United States before the situation escalates. He emphasized that no further oil or financial assistance would flow to Cuba if the dependence continues.
Trump underscored that Venezuela’s oil and funds enabled Cuba to operate for years and provided security support to Venezuelan leaders. He further noted that recent US operations, which resulted in the deaths of several Cuban security personnel protecting Venezuelan targets, demonstrate that the US military stands ready to act. “Cuba will receive no more oil or money. The country must come to an agreement before it oversteps,” Trump warned, asserting that US forces are capable of enforcing this policy.
The warning follows a US operation targeting former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, during which 32 Cuban security officials were killed. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the operation in a public address to thousands at a rally outside the US Embassy in Havana. Analysts note that Cuba receives nearly 30 percent of its oil from Venezuela, making the recent developments a significant blow to the nation’s already fragile electricity and fuel supply systems.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in on social media, responding to a post suggesting he could become Cuba’s president, commenting that the idea “sounds good.” These developments signal a further tightening of US pressure aimed at reducing Cuban reliance on Venezuelan resources and limiting its influence in the region.
Analysts warn that the escalating situation could destabilize Cuba’s energy supply and heighten political tensions across Latin America. Observers suggest that further sanctions or military operations could follow if Cuba does not comply with US demands, marking a critical moment in US-Cuba-Venezuela relations.