“Trump Warns Cuba: Make Deal Before Losing US Support”

Donald Trump has directed his attention towards Cuba, encouraging the nation to engage in negotiations with the US “before it’s too late.” The US president has cautioned Cuba about the cessation of oil and financial support from Venezuela, its historical ally and primary oil provider. Venezuela reportedly supplies around 35,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba. Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by US forces in Caracas on January 3, Trump has pushed interim president Delcy Rodriguez to reroute Venezuelan oil to the US.

In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Cuba’s reliance on oil and financial aid from Venezuela, emphasizing that the US will no longer facilitate this support. Trump stated, “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 specifics of the deal Trump is seeking from Cuba and the potential repercussions have not been disclosed.

Cuba has traditionally supplied various personnel to Venezuela, including medical professionals, military advisors, and members of Maduro’s security team. The Cuban government reported the loss of 32 nationals who served as Maduro’s bodyguards during the January 3 incident. President Miguel Díaz-Canel praised these individuals as “brave Cuban combatants” who bravely confronted the assailants.

Trump asserted in his recent Truth Social post that most of the Cuban personnel involved in the US attack are deceased, emphasizing that Venezuela no longer requires protection from those who exploited them for years. He expressed confidence in the US military’s ability to safeguard Venezuela going forward.

As of now, the Cuban government has not issued a response to Trump’s warnings. Despite US intelligence reports painting a grim picture of Cuba’s economic and political situation, sources familiar with confidential assessments have refuted Trump’s claim that the nation is on the verge of collapse post-Maduro’s capture.

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