US President Donald Trump warns Cuba to “make a deal” as he vows to halt all oil and money flows following the seizure of Venezuelan ally Nicolas Maduro.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has urged Cuba to “make a deal” soon, pledging to cut off all oil and money flowing to the communist-run island after the capture of its key ally, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
The threatening social media post drew an angry retort from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who said “no one” would tell his country what to do.
Trump ramped up pressure in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday morning.
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump stated.
“I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
He provided no details about what a potential deal would entail.
Trump claimed Cuba had long relied on oil and money from Venezuela in exchange for providing security services.
“Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last week’s U.S.A. attack, and Venezuela doesn’t need protection anymore,” he added, referencing a raid where US forces seized Maduro.
Cuba’s president rebuffed the threatening language, saying residents were “ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.”
“Cuba is a free, independent and sovereign nation. No one tells us what to do,” Diaz-Canel wrote on X.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stressed Cuba’s right to import fuel from any willing exporter without US interference.
A Cold War-era US trade embargo has constrained Cuba’s economy since 1962.
Havana has increasingly relied on Venezuelan oil provided under a deal struck with Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
On the streets of Havana, some residents seemed to dismiss the US leader’s latest bluster.
“Trump is not going to touch Cuba,” retiree Mercedes Simon, 65, told AFP.
“All the presidents talk, talk, talk about Cuba, but they don’t act.”
Marcos Sanchez, a 21-year-old restaurant worker, said the two countries should find common ground “without resorting to violence.”
Trump’s provocative language comes as the emboldened leader has hinted he has other countries in his sights.
He has recently threatened Colombia, Mexico, Iran and Greenland.
Some Republican US lawmakers lauded Trump for his aggressive comments on Cuba.
“The tyranny in Cuba will not survive the second term of President Trump,” congressman Mario Diaz-Balart posted in Spanish on X.
