Donald Trump tells Cuba to 'make a deal, before it is too late'

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a sharp warning to Cuba, urging Havana to “make a deal” or face consequences, as he signalled an end to the flow of Venezuelan oil and financial support to the island nation.

“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. He followed it up with a stark message to the Cuban leadership, saying, “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

The remarks suggest a tougher US stance towards Cuba, particularly targeting the economic lifeline provided by Venezuela, amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the region.

Donald Trump fuels Cuba speculation 

US President Donald Trump sparked fresh political chatter after reposting a social media message suggesting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could one day lead Cuba.

Trump reshared a January 8 post on his Truth Social platform by user Cliff Smith that read, “Marco Rubio will be president of Cuba,” accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji. Reacting to the post, Trump added, “Sounds good to me!”

The repost drew attention as Rubio, a prominent figure in US foreign policy, is the son of Cuban immigrants and has been a vocal critic of the Cuban government. The original post came from a relatively unknown Truth Social user, whose bio describes him as a “conservative Californian” with fewer than 500 followers.

Trump’s endorsement of the message comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following a dramatic US operation in Caracas last week in which Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was seized during a nighttime raid that reportedly left dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel dead.

Cuba defends right to import fuel after Venezuela oil cut

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Sunday defended his country’s right to import fuel from any nation willing to sell it, pushing back against pressure stemming from a sharp reduction in Venezuelan oil supplies.

In a post on X, Rodriguez said Cuba has the sovereign right to seek fuel wherever suppliers are willing to export it, insisting that Havana did not receive financial or other “material” compensation in return for the security services it provided to any country.

The statements come after a recent US-led raid in Venezuela — aimed at capturing former President Nicolas Maduro — that resulted in the death of 32 members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence services. Cuba described those killed as personnel responsible for “security and defense,” but has not detailed the terms of the arrangement between the two allies.

Cuba has long depended on imported crude and fuel, mainly from Venezuela with smaller volumes from Mexico, to keep its power generators and vehicles running. With its own refining capacity dwindling in recent years, Venezuelan exports — once crucial to Havana — have fallen significantly, leaving the Caribbean nation to seek alternative sources on the open market.

Rodriguez’s comments underscore Havana’s efforts to maintain energy supplies amid mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, as it navigates strained relations with the United States and shifting regional alliances.