Trump's Ultimatum to Cuba: Time to Make a Deal

Tue Feb 03 2026 01:54:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent statement, Donald Trump has warned Cuba that it needs to reach a deal quickly or face severe consequences, marking a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba relations amid geopolitical tensions following a raid on Venezuela.

Donald Trump has urged Cuba to negotiate a deal or expect serious repercussions as the U.S. moves to cut off Venezuelan oil supports that have sustained Cuba's economy. Trump's administration has linked its foreign policy changes to a desire to combat drug trafficking and assert U.S. influence in Latin America, while Cuban officials maintain their right to operate independently of U.S. dictates.

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 U.S. president has been turning his attention to Cuba since U.S. forces seized Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro in a 3 January raid on its capital, Caracas.

Venezuela, a long-standing ally of Cuba, is believed to send around 35,000 barrels of oil a day to the island.

Cuba's foreign minister responded by saying his nation retained the right to import fuel without interference, while its president stated categorically: No one dictates what we do.

The Trump administration's tactic of confiscating sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers has already begun to worsen a fuel and electricity crisis in Cuba.

On Friday, it seized a fifth oil tanker it alleged was carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela.

Trump expressed on social media: Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!

He further declared, THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Though Trump did not specify the terms of a deal, Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez emphasized Cuba's right to import fuel without U.S. interference and pointed out that Cuba does not yield to blackmail or military coercion.

Trump’s comments were framed in the context of a renewed U.S. foreign policy focus on Latin America, especially targeting leftist leaders amidst ongoing accusations of drug trafficking linked to countries like Venezuela and Colombia.

With ongoing geopolitical tensions and potential for further U.S. actions in the region, Cuba plans to maintain its sovereignty despite the pressures.