Trump to Cuba: 'Make a deal before it's too late'
by UPI Staff · UPIJan. 11 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Sunday that Cuba must strike a deal with the United States or face deeper economic hardship as its access to Venezuelan oil diminishes.
On Truth Social, Trump posted: "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. 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's comments followed remarks he made on Jan. 4, when he said the Cuban government could collapse without direct U.S. intervention following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by American forces.
In addition, Trump reposted a Truth Social user's message suggesting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, should serve as Cuba's president, responding, "Sounds good to me."
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Rubio has been vocal about Cuba's political and economic situation in the wake of changes in Venezuela and has said Havana is in "serious trouble" and that its leaders have reason to be concerned.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel posted on X Sunday, "Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. No one dictates what we do. Cuba does not aggress; it is aggressed upon by the United States for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood."
On Friday, the United States seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the Olina, as part of efforts to control Venezuelan oil that had been bound for the region, including Cuba.
U.S. Southern Command wrote on X that it's "unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere."