U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Cuba to strike a deal with the United States before it’s too late amid growing economic pressure on the island. Trump said there will be “no more oil or money going to Cuba zero!” signaling an escalation in Washington’s campaign to isolate Havana and cut off Venezuelan oil shipments that the island has long relied on.
Venezuela has historically supplied about half of Cuba’s crude oil but U.S. sanctions and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have effectively blocked shipments leaving Cuba facing fuel shortages and rolling blackouts.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel responded defiantly insisting the island is a sovereign nation and rejecting U.S. pressure. He stressed that Cuba has the right to seek fuel from any willing supplier and the country has already started turning to Mexico for limited oil deliveries.
Trump’s warning comes amid wider U.S. efforts to exert leverage in Latin America aiming to force Cuba into negotiations while maintaining pressure on its economic lifelines. Officials say the move is intended to create negotiation leverage although the resilience of the Cuban government remains uncertain.
The situation highlights rising tensions in the region as Washington continues to use economic and diplomatic tools to influence Cuba while Havana resists outside pressure and seeks alternative support to meet its energy needs.
