President Trump Issues Stark Ultimatum to Cuba: 'Zero' Oil or Money from Venezuela, Urges 'Deal Before It's Too Late'

Washington, D.C. – January 11, 2026 – In a dramatic escalation of tensions with the communist-run island nation, President Donald Trump on Sunday declared an end to all Venezuelan oil and financial support flowing to Cuba, warning Havana's leadership to negotiate a deal with the United States "before it is too late."

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that Cuba had long relied on "large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela" in exchange for providing "security services" to former Venezuelan leaders Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. "BUT NOT ANYMORE!" he wrote emphatically. "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

The announcement comes amid heightened regional instability following the recent U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Analysts say the move effectively severs a critical lifeline for Cuba's struggling economy, which has depended on subsidized Venezuelan crude to power its electricity grid and generate revenue through re-exports. Reports indicate that Venezuela supplied an average of 27,000 to 35,000 barrels per day to the island in 2025, covering roughly half of its oil needs.

Trump's rhetoric builds on earlier comments in which he predicted Cuba's regime is "ready to fall" without direct intervention, stating on Air Force One shortly after Maduro's ouster that "it looks like it’s going down" due to the sudden loss of income. The president has not detailed what kind of "deal" he envisions, though administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have long viewed pressure on Venezuela as a means to weaken Havana's influence.

Cuba's government responded defiantly. President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the threats on social media, declaring that Cuba is a "free, independent and sovereign nation" and accusing the U.S. of lacking moral authority. He condemned ongoing American sanctions, which Havana claims have cost the island billions in recent years and exacerbated shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

The island's economy, already reeling from years of contraction—including a 4% drop in 2025—faces severe risks from the cutoff. Experts warn of intensified blackouts, deeper fuel and food shortages, and accelerated migration, following the exodus of over a million Cubans since 2021.

This latest development underscores the Trump administration's aggressive posture in the Western Hemisphere, aiming to realign regional powers and isolate longstanding adversaries. As U.S. forces maintain control over Venezuelan oil shipments and distribution, the pressure on Cuba shows no signs of easing, leaving observers to watch whether economic strain will force change in Havana or deepen the standoff. 17GEN4.com