Trump Tells Cuba To “Make A Deal Before It Is Too Late”
On
January 11, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Cuba,
urging the island nation to “make a deal” before it was too late.
His
remarks came in the wake of a dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas,
Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
and the deaths of dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel.
Trump’s
statement, delivered via his Truth Social platform, declared that “there will
be no more oil or money going to Cuba, zero!” He insisted that Havana must
negotiate, though he provided no details about the nature of the deal or what
it might entail.
The
warning reflects Washington’s longstanding hostility toward Cuba, which has
historically relied on subsidized Venezuelan oil since the era of Hugo Chávez.
Trump’s comments suggest that the U.S. intends to cut off this lifeline,
leaving Cuba vulnerable amid its worsening economic crisis.
The
president’s rhetoric has escalated since Maduro’s capture, with Trump claiming
that “Cuba is ready to fall” and that Havana cannot survive without Venezuelan
support. He also reposted a message suggesting that U.S. Secretary of State
Marco Rubio, himself the son of Cuban immigrants, could one day become
president of Cuba, a provocative remark that underscored Trump’s aggressive
stance toward the communist-run island.
Cuba’s
government swiftly rejected Trump’s assertions. Foreign Minister Bruno
Rodríguez stated that Havana has “never received monetary or material
compensation for the security services it has provided to any country” and
emphasized Cuba’s sovereign right to import fuel from any willing exporter,
free from U.S. interference.
This
rebuttal highlights the deep ideological divide between Washington and Havana,
as well as Cuba’s determination to resist American pressure.
Trump’s
threats have been praised by some Republican lawmakers, including Florida
congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, who described the moment as “the beginning of
the end of the regime in Havana.” He predicted that Cuba’s communist government
would not survive Trump’s second term, framing the president’s actions as a
decisive step toward ending decades of Cuban “misery, tragedy, and pain”.
The
broader geopolitical context is equally significant. Trump’s bold move against
Venezuela and his subsequent threats toward Cuba suggest a wider campaign to
reshape U.S. influence in Latin America. His recent comments have hinted at
ambitions beyond Cuba, with warnings directed at Colombia, Mexico, Iran, and
even Greenland. This expansionist rhetoric signals a new phase in Trump’s
foreign policy, one that combines military intervention with economic coercion.
In
summary, Trump’s warning to Cuba marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Cuba relations.
By cutting off Venezuelan oil and money, Washington is attempting to weaken
Havana’s resilience and force concessions.
Whether
Cuba will yield to this pressure or continue to resist remains uncertain, but
the confrontation underscores the volatile dynamics of hemispheric politics in
2026.
