Diego Tumbarell, 19, has his hair combed by his good friend on a sidewalk, as U.S.-Cuba tensions rise after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to cease Venezuelan oil and cash from reaching Cuba and steered the communist-run island strike a take care of Washington, in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 11, 2026. Reuters-Yonhap
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump urged Cuba on Sunday to “make a deal” quickly, pledging to chop off all oil and cash flowing to the communist-run island after the toppling of Havana’s key ally, Venezuelan chief Nicolas Maduro.
The threatening social media put up drew an indignant retort from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who stated “nobody” would inform his nation what to do.
Washington has imposed economy-crippling sanctions on its island neighbor for many years, however Trump has ramped up the strain in latest days.
U.S. particular forces seized Maduro and his spouse this month in a lightning raid that left dozens of the ousted Venezuelan president’s safety personnel lifeless — lots of whom had been Cuban.
Although Maduro’s allies have turn out to be interim leaders, Trump has claimed america now really controls Venezuela, by way of a U.S. naval blockade of its very important oil sector.
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump stated Sunday morning on his Reality Social platform. “I strongly counsel they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
He stated “Cuba lived, for a few years, on massive quantities of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba supplied ‘Safety Companies’ for the final two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!”
“Most of these Cubans are DEAD from final week’s U.S.A. assault, and Venezuela would not want safety anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for thus a few years.”
Trump supplied virtually no particulars about what potential deal he referred to, or what such an association would obtain.
Requested about it later Sunday, Trump advised reporters touring with him on Air Power One which he wished individuals compelled out of Cuba or who “left below duress” to be taken care of.
“Most significantly, proper now, we’ll handle the those who got here from Cuba, which might be Americans, or in our nation,” Trump stated, with out clarifying how this might be achieved below a take care of Havana.
Folks stroll in entrance of a retailer as U.S.-Cuba tensions rise after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to cease Venezuelan oil and cash from reaching Cuba and steered the communist-run island to strike a take care of Washington, in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 11, 2026. Reuters-Yonhap
‘Able to fall’
Per week in the past, Trump acknowledged that “Cuba is able to fall,” noting that the island’s financial disaster was worsening and it might be troublesome for Havana to “maintain out” with out receiving closely sponsored Venezuelan oil.
Earlier on Sunday, the president reposted a message that jokingly steered US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — a baby of Cuban immigrants who concurrently holds the posts of nationwide safety advisor, appearing head of the US archives, and appearing worldwide assist administrator — might additionally turn out to be the president of Cuba.
Trump shared that put up with the remark: “Sounds good to me!”
Cuba’s president rebuffed Trump’s threatening language, saying the Caribbean island’s residents had been “able to defend the homeland to the final drop of blood.”
“Cuba is a free, impartial and sovereign nation. Nobody tells us what to do,” Diaz-Canel wrote on X.
International Minister Bruno Rodriguez additionally weighed in to emphasize that Cuba is inside its rights to import gasoline from any prepared exporter, “with out interference or subordination to the unilateral coercive measures of america.”
A view exhibits a part of Havana as U.S.-Cuba tensions rise after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to cease Venezuelan oil and cash from reaching Cuba and steered the communist-run island to strike a take care of Washington, in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 11, 2026. Reuters-Yonhap
‘Speak, speak, speak’
A Chilly Battle-era U.S. commerce embargo has cinched Cuba’s financial system starting in 1962, and since 2000 Havana more and more has relied on Venezuelan oil supplied as a part of a deal struck with Maduro’s predecessor, the firebrand leftist Hugo Chavez.
On Sunday within the streets of Havana, retiree Mercedes Simon appeared to dismiss the US chief’s newest bluster.
“Trump shouldn’t be going to the touch Cuba,” the 65-year-old advised AFP. “All of the presidents speak, speak, speak” about Cuba, for many years, “however they do not act.”
Marcos Sanchez, a 21-year-old working within the restaurant enterprise, stated the 2 international locations ought to discover widespread floor, “with out resorting to violence.”
Trump’s provocative language on Cuba comes because the emboldened American chief has hinted he has different international locations in his sights after capturing Maduro.
Trump, who had brazenly sought final yr’s Nobel Peace Prize, has just lately threatened Colombia, Mexico, Iran and Greenland.
Some Republican U.S. lawmakers on Sunday lauded Trump for his aggressive feedback on Cuba, together with congressman Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida.
“The tyranny in Cuba won’t survive the second time period of President Trump,” Diaz-Balart posted in Spanish on X, “and Cuba will lastly be free after many years of distress, tragedy, and ache.”
