United States President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to the Cuban regime, predicting that the nation is on the brink of failure following the downfall of Nicolás Maduro's government and the subsequent loss of economic and energy support from Venezuela.
During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News this Thursday, Trump shared a series of statements forecasting Cuba's collapse, emphasizing that Washington is closely monitoring the situation on the island.
“Cuba is entirely dependent on Venezuela for both financial and oil resources, and in return, they provide Venezuela with protection. That was always the deal,” Trump stated.
He characterized the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela as a transactional one: oil and cash in exchange for military backing and security.
“That was always the arrangement,” he reiterated.
However, he pointed out that this mechanism is no longer operational, and Cuba, which benefited for decades from Venezuelan oil subsidies and political support from the Chávez regime, is now facing a drastically altered scenario.
“It no longer operates like that, so I don't know what Cuba is going to do. I think Cuba is going to fail,” he warned.
The loss of this crucial link, according to his analysis, leaves the Cuban government in an extremely vulnerable position.
Trump's Skepticism on Cuban Alternatives
Expressing doubt about the regime's ability to find new ways to sustain itself without Venezuelan backing, Trump was skeptical about Cuba's economic prospects in this new environment.
“I don't think there are alternatives for Cuba. I don't know how they survive without Venezuela,” he reiterated.
These remarks emphasize the narrative that the survival of the Cuban regime was closely tied to Caracas's economic support. With that backing gone, Havana's government seems destined for collapse.
Rule Out of Military Action Against Cuba (For Now)
Despite his harsh rhetoric, Trump clarified that he does not currently see the need for direct military intervention against Cuba.
He noted that the island is already undergoing a structural decline, and shifting regional dynamics will play a crucial role in further weakening the regime.
“Cuba is already facing a structural decline,” he said. “We'll see what happens. We do want to do something to help Cuba, yes,” he added.
The President reiterated that the United States' priority is to support Latin American people striving to free themselves from authoritarian regimes, specifically mentioning his desire to help Cubans in exile.
“I want to help the Cubans in the United States who were treated so poorly by Castro,” he declared.
“Marco's Revenge”
In the same interview, Trump was asked about the role of Republican Senator Marco Rubio, known for his strong stance against the regimes of Cuba and Venezuela.
When Hannity suggested that some viewed Maduro's fall as "Marco's revenge," Trump responded ambiguously but did not dismiss the notion.
“Maybe it was,” he noted, alluding to the nickname circulating in conservative media.
The President also took the opportunity to praise Rubio, of Cuban descent, highlighting that “he knows Cuba very well” and that there are “many wonderful people” of Cuban origin in the United States.
Growing Tensions Between Washington and Havana
Trump's comments come at a particularly delicate time for the Cuban regime. The fall of Maduro, a strategic and ideological ally of Havana, has reshaped power relations in Latin America and left Cuba isolated on many fronts.
While Trump's message does not signal an immediate policy shift towards the island, it suggests that Cuba might be the next target on the White House's pressure agenda.
The assertion that "I don't know what Cuba is going to do" and that "it's going to fail" serves as both a warning and a reflection of the geopolitical shift occurring in the region.
Implications of Venezuela's Support Withdrawal from Cuba
Why is the loss of Venezuelan support crucial for Cuba?
Venezuela provided essential financial resources and oil to Cuba, which were critical for its economic stability and survival. Without this support, Cuba faces significant vulnerability.
How might the decline of Maduro's regime affect Cuba?
The collapse of Maduro's regime removes a key ally and supporter for Cuba, potentially leading to economic hardships and political isolation for the Cuban government.