President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to the government of Cuba on Sunday, urging the nation to negotiate a deal following the recent capture and ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This development has significant implications for Cuba, which has historically relied on Venezuelan oil and financial support. With U.S. forces actively seizing oil tankers to control Venezuelan oil production and distribution, Cuba faces a critical energy crisis.
Trump’s statement on social media emphasized the abrupt shift in relations, declaring that “there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba – zero!” He made this post while spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He suggested that Cuba should “make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel took to social media platform X, criticizing the moral authority of those who prioritize profits over human lives. He asserted that the U.S. government has no right to criticize Cuba given its own controversial practices.
The geopolitical tension extends beyond Cuba and Venezuela. Trump also addressed speculation surrounding the future leadership in Cuba, expressing approval for the idea that his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, could assume presidential duties there.
Domestic Developments and International Reactions
On the domestic front, Trump’s administration faced two significant lawsuits regarding the upcoming 2030 U.S. Census. One lawsuit, filed by America First Legal in Florida, challenges privacy protections for census participants and the methods for counting people in dormitories and nursing homes. Another suit, initiated by four Republican attorney generals in Louisiana, seeks to prevent the inclusion of undocumented immigrants in congressional district calculations. Concerns have been raised that the Department of Justice may not sufficiently defend the government’s position, prompting a Democratic law firm to intervene.
Internationally, the situation in Gaza has seen developments as well. The militant group Hamas announced plans to dissolve its current government in Gaza, transitioning to a technocratic leadership committee. This change aligns with the terms of a peace plan brokered by Trump. However, no timeline has been provided for this transition, leaving many questions unanswered.
Meanwhile, protests in Iran have resulted in a tragic death toll, with reports indicating at least 538 fatalities due to government crackdowns. Activists warn that the death toll may rise as tensions escalate. The Iranian government has issued threats against U.S. military forces and Israel, labeling them as “legitimate targets” should the U.S. intervene to support the demonstrators. Trump has publicly voiced his support for the protesters, promising that “the USA stands ready to help!!!”
These developments highlight the complex and often volatile nature of international relations under Trump’s administration and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and the Middle East. The responses from Cuba and Iran illustrate the challenges faced by the U.S. as it navigates these critical geopolitical landscapes.
