In a significant escalation of hemispheric tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Cuba regarding its energy security following the recent overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Through his Truth Social platform, Trump declared an imminent complete cessation of oil and financial resources flowing to the communist nation, asserting that Venezuela’s new leadership would no longer provide subsidized petroleum that Cuba had received for decades.
The controversial statements prompted an immediate and defiant response from Cuban leadership. President Miguel Díaz-Canel explicitly rejected external pressure, affirming Cuba’s sovereignty and readiness to defend national interests. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez similarly emphasized Cuba’s right to engage in energy trade without submitting to unilateral coercive measures.
This exchange occurs against the backdrop of a dramatic U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro and numerous casualties among his security detail, many reportedly Cuban nationals. Trump has characterized the operation as liberation from extortionist protection arrangements, while framing Cuba’s economic predicament as an opportunity for political change.
The historical context reveals deepening complexities: since 1962, the U.S. embargo has constrained Cuba’s economy, with Caracas becoming Havana’s crucial petroleum supplier since 2000 through agreements initiated by Hugo Chávez. Cuban citizens expressed mixed reactions, with some dismissing Trump’s rhetoric as empty threats and others advocating for diplomatic resolution.
Notably, Trump’s aggressive posture extends beyond Cuba, with recent threats directed toward Colombia, Mexico, Iran, and even Greenland. The statements received endorsement from Republican allies including Florida Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, who predicted the collapse of Cuban leadership under continued pressure. This development signals a potential return to heightened confrontation in U.S.-Cuba relations should Trump return to power.