The US president has stated that the Caribbean nation is facing a “very bad” situation now that it no longer has access to Venezuelan oil
US President Donald Trump has warned that Cuban authorities must strike an agreement with Washington to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from any country that supplies oil to Cuba—further tightening the decades-old embargo on the Caribbean nation, which dates back to the 1960s.
This action follows last month’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by Washington; his country had been Havana’s main oil supplier.
Mexico had boosted oil shipments to Cuba in recent weeks; Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on Friday that the US president’s order could “spark a large-scale humanitarian crisis, directly impacting hospitals, food supplies, and other essential services for the Cuban people.”
When reporters aboard Air Force One asked Trump about Sheinbaum’s comment on Saturday, he responded: “Well, it doesn’t need to be a humanitarian crisis. I think they’ll likely come to us wanting to make a deal. Then Cuba would be free again.”
“Cuba is in a very bad situation right now. They have no money, no oil… They relied on Venezuelan money and oil, and none of that is coming in now,” he stated.
The US president has expressed confidence that both sides will reach a deal, adding that Washington would be “kind” to Havana.
Trump did not specify what concessions he expects from the Cuban government, only noting: “We have many people in the US right now who would love to return to Cuba, and we want to resolve that.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Washington of “economically suffocating” Cuba on Saturday. She reaffirmed Moscow’s opposition to unilateral sanctions not approved by the UN, while expressing confidence that Havana can overcome its economic challenges.
Cuban authorities have declared an “international emergency” in response to Trump’s pressure campaign, which they characterize as an “extraordinary threat” from “the US anti-Cuban neo-fascist right wing.”
The Financial Times previously reported that Cuba has only 15 to 20 days of oil reserves left at its current demand and domestic production levels.