U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Cuba will receive no more Venezuelan oil or money, sharply escalating pressure on the long-time adversary following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In Truth Social posts, Trump declared: “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA — ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” The president framed the move as part of broader U.S. efforts to weaken Havana’s regional influence and end its historical dependence on Caracas.
Cuba has long relied on subsidised Venezuelan oil to run power grids and transportation systems, but shipments have stopped amid the U.S. oil blockade and recent Venezuelan political upheaval. Trump did not outline what a deal with Washington would entail.
Havana responded defiantly. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said “no one tells us what to do,” defending Cuba’s sovereign right to import energy from willing exporters. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez emphasised Cuba’s right to fuel imports and denied receiving material payment for security cooperation with Venezuela.
The developments come after 32 Cuban personnel were killed during the U.S. operation that ousted Maduro, highlighting deep regional tensions now spilling into diplomatic and energy policy.
Analysts say cutting off oil support could deepen Cuba’s economic crisis, though U.S. intelligence stops short of endorsing predictions of imminent regime collapse.
