US President Trump has vowed to cut off all Venezuelan oil and money to Cuba, urging the communist-run island to strike a deal with Washington as pressure intensifies.
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
“Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela,” Trump added.
Venezuela, Cuba’s largest oil supplier, has sent no shipments since January 3 amid the strict US oil blockade following the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro, according to shipping data. Trump reiterated on social media that Cuba had long relied on Venezuelan oil and funds but offered no details about a proposed deal, while US rhetoric toward Havana has hardened.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the threats, insisting Cuba is a sovereign nation that will defend itself, and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused the US of acting as a destabilizing global hegemon. Analysts say Cuba, already facing rolling blackouts and fuel shortages, may struggle to find alternative suppliers if the embargo tightens further.
Despite Cuba’s defiance, reduced Venezuelan supplies and limited imports from countries like Mexico could increase pressure on Havana to negotiate with Washington.
Havana street scene PHOTO: J F Martin
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