Cuba rejects U.S. pressure after President Trump says no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to the island, urging Havana to strike a deal amid growing economic strain.
By Sahil
Date: 11 January
HAVANA / WASHINGTON — Cuba has responded with defiance after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Caribbean island will receive no more Venezuelan oil or financial support, urging Havana to negotiate a “deal” with Washington before it is “too late.”
Trump’s Ultimatum
On Jan. 11, 2026, Trump posted on his social media platform that “there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba — zero!” and suggested Cuban leaders should strike a deal with the United States to ease tensions.
The president framed the move as part of broader pressure following the recent U.S. operation in Venezuela, including the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which has disrupted Cuba’s long-standing energy supply.
Cuba’s Reaction: Sovereignty and Defiance
Cuban President Miguel DÃaz-Canel and other officials rejected Trump’s pressure, emphasizing national sovereignty and the right to trade freely:
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“Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do,” DÃaz-Canel wrote on social media.
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Foreign Minister Bruno RodrÃguez stressed that Cuba has the right to import fuel from any willing supplier and denied that Cuba received material pay for its support in Venezuela.
Cuba’s leaders have portrayed Trump’s ultimatum as unjust interference and reiterated that the island will not be intimidated.
Economic Impact and Oil Dependence
Cuba has historically relied heavily on subsidized Venezuelan crude — at times covering roughly 50 % of its oil deficit — which helped fuel power, transportation and industry. However, recent disruptions mean no Venezuelan oil cargoes have arrived in recent weeks amid U.S. actions against Caracas.
Mexico has emerged as a small alternative supplier, but shipments remain limited relative to Cuba’s needs.
Analysts and local residents say that without Venezuelan energy and financial inflows, Cuba’s economy is under immense stress, with frequent power outages and shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Some citizens see the moment as a potential turning point for political and economic reform.
Broader Regional and Political Context
Trump’s move is part of a broader U.S. strategy to exert pressure on regional governments seen as adversarial, particularly after its interve
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ntion in Venezuela. The U.S. and Caracas are also negotiating a large oil sale deal, highlighting complex geopolitics impacting Cuba.
Cuban officials argue that decades of longstanding U.S. sanctions and embargoes have weakened the island’s economy long before the current standoff, and that external pressure alone will not determine Cuba’s future.