US President Donald Trump has said that no more Venezuelan oil or money will be sent to Cuba, sharply increasing pressure on the Communist-run island. He also suggested that Cuba should reach a deal with Washington, a move that has drawn a strong response from Cuban leaders.
Venezuela has been Cuba’s biggest oil supplier for years, but shipments have stopped after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces earlier this month. Since then, no oil tankers have left Venezuelan ports for Cuba because of a tight US oil blockade on Venezuela.
At the same time, the US and Venezuela are moving closer. They are working on a $2 billion agreement that would allow up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to be sold to the United States. The money from these sales will be kept in US Treasury-controlled accounts. This deal is a key test of the growing relationship between Trump and Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
Trump made his warning to Cuba clear in a post on his Truth Social account.
"THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump wrote.
He also added, "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela." However, Trump did not explain what kind of deal Cuba should make.
Trump threatens Cuba and demands a deal with the United States
— Lev (@Lev1446491) January 12, 2026
Cuba will no longer receive oil and money from Venezuela, according to US President Donald Trump.
However, as the head of the White House pointed out, the situation has changed since the US took control of Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/qZMVDTJO9i
Cuba Rejects Trump’s Warning
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel quickly pushed back against Trump’s comments. He said the United States has no right to pressure Cuba. "Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do," Diaz-Canel wrote.
He also said Cuba has been under attack from the US for decades. "Cuba does not attack; it has been attacked by the U.S. for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood."
President Miguel Diaz-Canel reaffirmed Cuba’s sovereignty, stating the nation is a free state that will not be dictated to. He denounced 66 years of U.S. aggression and declared that while Cuba does not threaten others, it is fully prepared to defend its homeland. pic.twitter.com/0VhxWReuCC
— Geopoliti𝕏 Monitor (@GeopolitixM) January 12, 2026
Cuba Says It Has the Right to Buy Fuel
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also responded. He said Cuba has the right to buy fuel from any country willing to sell it. He denied claims that Cuba receives money or other rewards in exchange for providing security services abroad.
He also spoke about the Cuban personnel killed during the recent US military operation in Venezuela. Thirty-two members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence services died during that raid. Cuba said they were involved in “security and defense”, but did not give further details.
Cuba’s Heavy Dependence on Venezuelan Oil
Cuba depends on imported oil and fuel to run its power plants and transport system. Most of this fuel comes from Venezuela, with smaller amounts from Mexico and the open market. Even though Venezuela’s own oil industry has weakened in recent years, it still remains Cuba’s largest supplier. Last year, Venezuela sent about 26,500 barrels per day to Cuba. This covered around half of Cuba’s oil shortage, according to shipping data and internal oil company records.
Many Cubans say they are already living in extreme hardship and are not afraid of Trump’s warning. Produce seller Alberto Jimenez, 45, said: That doesn't scare me. Not at all. The Cuban people are prepared for anything."
Life on the island is already very difficult. Large parts of the country, including Havana, face long power cuts every day. Food, fuel, and medicine are in short supply. These problems have caused record numbers of Cubans to leave the country, mostly heading to the United States.
Another Havana resident, Maria Elena Sabina, said the situation is unbearable. “There's no electricity here, no gas, not even liquefied gas. There's nothing here," she said.
"So yes, a change is needed, a change is needed, and quickly.”
Mexico Steps In as an Oil Supplier
With Venezuela under US pressure, Mexico has started supplying more oil to Cuba. Although the volumes are small, Mexico has become an important alternative.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country has not officially increased exports, but recent events have made Mexico a key supplier.
US Intelligence Warns of Growing Crisis
US intelligence agencies say Cuba’s economy is under heavy strain. Power cuts, trade sanctions, and weak industries like tourism and farming have badly damaged the country.
They believe that if Cuba also loses Venezuelan oil, it could become even harder for President Diaz-Canel to govern, though they do not fully agree with Trump’s claim that Cuba is about to collapse.
Cuba-Trump War of Words: Big Power Shift in the Region
Trump’s hard stance on Cuba is part of a broader strategy to bring Latin American countries in line with the United States. After the US takeover of Venezuela’s leadership, Washington believes Cuba could be next to feel the pressure.
With oil supplies shrinking, power cuts growing, and political tensions rising, Cuba now faces one of the most difficult moments in its modern history.