Washington

US President Donald Trump asserted that Cuba had long depended on Venezuelan oil and financial support, but he declared that this relationship would end following a recent US strike in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that Cuba survived “for many years” on Venezuelan oil and money and, in exchange, provided what he described as “security services” to Venezuela’s previous leaders. He added that this arrangement is over, insisted that most of those Cubans involved had died in the recent US military action, and warned that Venezuela no longer needed Cuban protection now that the United States was providing security. Trump stressed that no further oil or funds would flow to Cuba and urged the Cuban government to strike an agreement with the US “before it is too late.”

After Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was confirmed to be serving as acting president. Trump has previously said the United States would effectively oversee Venezuela’s affairs and seek full access to its oil resources under this new leadership.

Last week, Trump hosted leaders from major oil and gas firms at the White House, announcing plans for significant investment in Venezuela’s energy sector. He told reporters that a deal had been reached and suggested that large-scale drilling operations would benefit both Venezuela and the United States. Trump also projected that these efforts would generate substantial revenue and help reduce global oil prices, adding that US companies would operate in a stable and secure Venezuela.

The president expressed satisfaction at welcoming prominent energy executives to the White House and said that Maduro’s removal paved the way for a more prosperous future for both nations.

Earlier in the week, Trump said that Venezuela would allocate between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, to be sold on global markets with proceeds managed by the US.

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Meanwhile, Cuba reported that 32 of its nationals were killed during the US military operation in Venezuela and observed two days of national mourning in their honor