U.S. President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Cuba this weekend, declaring that Venezuelan oil and financial support to the island would cease and urging Havana to reach an unspecified agreement with Washington.
The remarks followed the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela and come amid an already worsening economic and energy crisis on the Communist-run island.
Trump said on social media that Venezuela would send “NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO,” linking the cutoff to Cuba’s long-standing ties with Caracas.
Shipping data shows that no Venezuelan oil cargoes have departed for Cuba since Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in early January under a strict oil blockade.
At the same time, U.S. and Venezuelan authorities are advancing talks on a deal that could send up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States, with proceeds held in U.S.-supervised accounts.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have suggested the intervention in Venezuela could sharply weaken Cuba, though U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly stop short of predicting imminent collapse.
The administration has also confiscated several tankers carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil, further straining Cuba’s fuel supplies.
Cuban leaders rejected Trump’s warnings, framing them as an attack on national sovereignty.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said, “Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do.”
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said Cuba has the right to import fuel from any willing supplier and denied receiving payment for security services provided abroad.
Cuba confirmed that 32 of its military and intelligence personnel were killed during the U.S. raid in Venezuela, describing their role as related to security and defense.
The loss of Venezuelan oil threatens to deepen rolling blackouts and shortages that have already disrupted daily life and fueled a record exodus from the island.
Mexico has emerged as a limited alternative supplier, with President Claudia Sheinbaum calling it an “important supplier,” though volumes remain small.
Analysts say the potential loss of Venezuelan support could further complicate governance in Havana without immediately resolving the standoff with Washington.