President Trump Issues Warning to Cuba Following Leadership Change in Venezuela

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump issued a public warning to the Cuban government on Sunday, urging the island nation to negotiate a deal with the United States "before it is too late." The statement, released via his Truth Social platform, follows recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the detention of Nicolás Maduro.

In his post, the President declared that the flow of resources from Venezuela to Cuba would cease immediately. “Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela,” Trump stated. “In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!”

The President’s comments come approximately one week after U.S. military operators extracted Maduro from Venezuela. Trump asserted that the security apparatus previously provided by Cuba to the Maduro regime had been dismantled during the operation.

“Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore,” Trump wrote, adding that the country now has the protection of the United States military. “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 President also noted recent developments regarding political prisoners in Venezuela, stating on Saturday that the interim leadership had begun releasing dissidents. “Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners,” he wrote.

These statements coincide with broader discussions within the administration regarding policy in the region. Hours prior to his warning, the President shared a post by columnist Marc Thiessen speculating on the future of the Cuban regime. When presented with a remark about Secretary of State Marco Rubio potentially assuming a leadership role in a future Cuba, the President responded, “Sounds good to me.”

The White House has not yet released specific details regarding what a potential deal with Havana might entail.