Trump Urges Cuba to Reach Agreement Before It's Too Late
Trump Warns Cuba About Consequences of Refusal to Negotiate
Donald Trump has urged Cuba to "make a deal" or face consequences, warning that the flow of oil and money from Venezuela will come to a halt. The President of the United States turned his attention to Cuba following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by American forces during a raid on January 3rd in the country’s capital. Venezuela, a long-time ally of Cuba, is estimated to send approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily to the island, but Trump declared that this would end.
"Cuba has lived for many years off large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba has provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NO MORE!" he posted on Truth Social on Sunday. "NO MORE OIL AND MONEY FOR CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." Trump did not specify the terms of any agreement or the consequences Cuba might face. He referenced the raid that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are facing charges of drug trafficking and other crimes in an American court.
The Cuban government has stated that 32 of its citizens were killed during the American operation in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Trump asserted: "Most of these Cubans are DEAD from the U.S. attack last week, and Venezuela no longer needs protection from the bandits and extortionists who have held them hostage for so many years."
"Venezuela now has the United States of America, the strongest military in the world (by far!), to protect them, and we will protect them." The Cuban government has yet to respond to Trump’s latest threats, but President Miguel Díaz-Canel has previously stated that the 32 "brave Cuban combatants" who died in Venezuela will be honored for their "fight against terrorists in imperial uniforms." While the Trump administration has not outlined clear plans for Cuba, the American president previously stated that military intervention was unnecessary as the country was "ready to fall." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last week that Cuban leaders should be worried, saying he would be "concerned" if he were in the Cuban government and that they are "in a lot of trouble." On Sunday, Trump re-shared a social media post suggesting that Rubio—a former Cuban-American senator from Florida and son of Cuban exiles—might become president of Cuba. Trump shared that post with the comment: "Looks good to me!" The Trump administration's strategy of seizing Venezuelan oil shipments is already beginning to exacerbate a fuel and electricity crisis in Cuba.
