Donald Trump has urged Cuba to 'make a deal' or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop. The former U.S. president has been focusing on Cuba since U.S. forces seized Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro during a raid on January 3.
Currently, Venezuela, a long-standing ally of Cuba, is believed to send about 35,000 barrels of oil daily to the island. However, Trump declared this would end, emphasizing, 'Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela... BUT NOT ANYMORE!'
The stark statement continued, 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.' While Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of a potential deal or any consequences, he referenced the recent U.S. operation to seize Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, both facing drug trafficking charges.
Cuba has reportedly provided security services for Maduro, and the Cuban government claimed that 32 of its nationals were killed during the U.S. operation in Caracas. Trump noted, 'Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last week's USA attack, and Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years.'
The language signals an aggressive U.S. stance towards Cuba, as Trump reiterated that Venezuela is now under U.S. protection, stating: 'Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will.'
While the exact U.S. plans for Cuba remain undisclosed, Trump's administration previously suggested that military intervention would not be necessary as the country was 'ready to fall.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also indicated that Cuba's leaders should be concerned about their future, raising alarm about their governance.
Trump went on to support the idea of Rubio becoming president of Cuba, entrenching his involvement in the turbulent political relationships in the region, all while continuing to impose difficulties on Cuba with tactics like confiscating sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, triggering a worsening crisis in fuel and electricity.}
Currently, Venezuela, a long-standing ally of Cuba, is believed to send about 35,000 barrels of oil daily to the island. However, Trump declared this would end, emphasizing, 'Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela... BUT NOT ANYMORE!'
The stark statement continued, 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.' While Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of a potential deal or any consequences, he referenced the recent U.S. operation to seize Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, both facing drug trafficking charges.
Cuba has reportedly provided security services for Maduro, and the Cuban government claimed that 32 of its nationals were killed during the U.S. operation in Caracas. Trump noted, 'Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last week's USA attack, and Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years.'
The language signals an aggressive U.S. stance towards Cuba, as Trump reiterated that Venezuela is now under U.S. protection, stating: 'Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will.'
While the exact U.S. plans for Cuba remain undisclosed, Trump's administration previously suggested that military intervention would not be necessary as the country was 'ready to fall.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also indicated that Cuba's leaders should be concerned about their future, raising alarm about their governance.
Trump went on to support the idea of Rubio becoming president of Cuba, entrenching his involvement in the turbulent political relationships in the region, all while continuing to impose difficulties on Cuba with tactics like confiscating sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, triggering a worsening crisis in fuel and electricity.}
