In a social media post, Donald Trump expressed his views on the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela, asserting that Cuba has historically relied on Venezuelan oil and money in exchange for providing security. He declared, “BUT NOT ANYMORE!”

Trump emphatically stated, “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” while spending the weekend at his Florida residence. He urged Cuba to negotiate, saying, “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” though he did not specify the nature of the deal he had in mind.

In a swift response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel took to X to counter Trump’s remarks. He criticized those who commercialize everything, even at the cost of human lives, arguing that they lack the moral authority to criticize Cuba in any form.

The Cuban government reported that 32 of its military personnel were killed during a U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. These Cuban personnel were in Caracas under an agreement between the two countries, fulfilling roles within Venezuela’s security framework.

Trump further commented on the situation, asserting, “Venezuela doesn’t need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years.” He emphasized that Venezuela now has the backing of “the most powerful military in the World (by far!),” referring to the United States, pledging American protection.

Additionally, Trump replied to a social media post suggesting that his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, could become the president of Cuba, commenting approvingly, “Sounds good to me!”

Trump and top administration officials have taken an increasingly aggressive tone toward Cuba, which had been kept economically afloat by Venezuela.

Long before Maduro’s capture, severe blackouts were sidelining life in Cuba, where people endured long lines at gas stations and supermarkets amid the island’s worst economic crisis in decades.

“Those who hysterically accuse our nation today do so out of rage at this people’s sovereign decision to choose their political model,” Díaz-Canel said in his post.

He added that “those who blame the Revolution for the severe economic shortages we suffer should be ashamed to keep quiet” and he railed against the “draconian measures” imposed by the US on Cuba.

The island’s communist government has said US sanctions cost the country more than $US7.5 billion ($11.2 billion) between March 2024 and February 2025.

Trump has said previously that the Cuban economy, battered by years of an American embargo, would slide further with the ouster of Maduro.

“It’s going down,” Trump said of Cuba. “It’s going down for the count.”