Tankers dock on the Matanzas terminal as Cubans brace for worsening gas shortages after the U.S. seized Venezuela-linked tankers, slicing an important vitality lifeline in Matanzas, Cuba, Jan. 7, 2026.
Norlys Perez | Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday stated no extra Venezuelan oil or cash will go to Cuba and prompt the Communist-run island ought to strike a take care of Washington, ramping up stress on the longtime U.S. nemesis.
Venezuela is Cuba’s greatest oil provider, however no cargoes have departed from Venezuelan ports to the Caribbean nation because the seize of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in early January amid a strict U.S. oil blockade on the OPEC nation, transport information reveals.
In the meantime, Caracas and Washington are progressing on a $2 billion deal to provide as much as 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the U.S., with proceeds to be deposited in U.S. Treasury-supervised accounts, a serious take a look at of the rising relationship between Trump and interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO! I strongly recommend they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” Trump wrote on his Fact Social platform on Sunday.
“Cuba lived, for a few years, on massive quantities of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela,” Trump added.
Trump didn’t elaborate on his prompt deal. U.S. officers have hardened their rhetoric in opposition to Cuba in current weeks.
Cuba defends import rights
Cuban International Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated in a put up on X on Sunday that Cuba had the precise to import gas from any suppliers prepared to export it. He additionally denied that Cuba had acquired monetary or different “materials” compensation in return for safety providers offered to any nation.
Thirty-two members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence providers have been killed in the course of the U.S. raid on Venezuela. Cuba stated these killed have been liable for “safety and protection” however didn’t present particulars on the association between the 2 long-time allies.
Cuba depends on imported crude and gas, primarily offered by Venezuela, and Mexico in smaller volumes, bought on the open market to maintain its energy turbines and automobiles working.
As its operational refining capability dwindled in recent times, Venezuela’s provide of crude and gas to Cuba has fallen. However the South American nation continues to be the biggest supplier with some 26,500 barrels per day exported final 12 months, in accordance with ship monitoring information and inner paperwork of state-run PDVSA, which coated roughly 50% of Cuba’s oil deficit.
Mexico has emerged in current weeks as a essential different oil provider to the island, however the provide stays small, in accordance with the transport information.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum final week stated her nation had not elevated provide volumes, however given current political occasions in Venezuela, Mexico had become an “vital provider” of crude to Cuba.
U.S. intelligence has painted a grim image of Cuba’s financial and political scenario, however its assessments supply no clear assist for Trump’s prediction that the island is “able to fall,” Reuters reported on Saturday, citing three individuals conversant in the confidential assessments.
The CIA’s view is that key sectors of the Cuban financial system, akin to agriculture and tourism, are severely strained by frequent blackouts, commerce sanctions and different issues. The potential lack of oil imports and different assist from Venezuela, for many years a key ally, may make governing harder for President Miguel Diaz Canel.
