What's happened
On January 11-12, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a complete halt to Venezuelan oil and financial support to Cuba, urging Havana to negotiate a deal with Washington. This follows the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and a US oil blockade on Venezuela. Cuba's leadership denies ongoing talks and rejects US pressure, highlighting decades of hostility.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Leverage Over Cuba
The US move to cut Venezuelan oil and money to Cuba is a calculated escalation aimed at undermining Cuba's economic lifeline. Venezuela's oil has been critical to Cuba's energy needs, and the blockade combined with Maduro's capture severely disrupts this supply.
Political Messaging and Regional Dominance
Trump's public warnings and calls for a deal with Cuba serve dual purposes: to pressure Cuba into compliance and to signal US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The rhetoric frames the US as protector of Venezuela post-Maduro, while painting Cuba as a failing ally.
Cuban Defiance and Sovereignty Claims
Cuba's leadership rejects US threats, emphasizing sovereignty and readiness to defend itself. This defiance underscores the long-standing antagonism and suggests Cuba will resist US demands despite economic hardship.
Economic and Humanitarian Impact
Cuba faces worsening blackouts, shortages, and economic strain, exacerbated by the loss of Venezuelan oil. Mexico's limited oil supply cannot compensate, risking further instability and migration pressures.
Forecast
The US strategy will likely deepen Cuba's economic crisis, potentially destabilizing the regime. However, Cuba's entrenched resistance and geopolitical alliances may prolong the standoff. The $2 billion US-Venezuela oil deal signals Washington's intent to reshape regional energy flows and alliances.
Reader Impact
While geographically distant, this shift affects global energy markets and geopolitical stability in the Americas. It highlights US efforts to reassert influence and the complex interplay of sanctions, military action, and diplomacy.
What the papers say
France 24 reports Trump’s announcement that "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!" and his urging Cuba to "make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," highlighting the US's hardening stance post-Maduro capture. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on X, asserting, "Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do," emphasizing Cuba's defiance (France 24).
SBS details the economic ramifications, noting Venezuela's oil shipments to Cuba have ceased since the US raid and Maduro's capture. It also reveals ongoing US-Venezuela negotiations for a $2 billion oil deal, with proceeds under US supervision, illustrating Washington's strategic pivot (SBS).
The New York Post quotes Trump’s Truth Social post accusing Cuba of providing "Security Services" to Venezuelan dictators but declaring "BUT NOT ANYMORE!" It also covers Cuba’s losses during the US raid and Trump’s framing of the US as Venezuela’s new protector (NY Post).
Business Insider UK adds context on US oil executives meeting Trump to discuss a $100 billion investment plan in Venezuela’s oil sector, underscoring US ambitions to boost Venezuelan production and reduce Cuba’s oil dependency (Business Insider UK).
AP News highlights Cuba’s worsening economic crisis, with blackouts and shortages predating Maduro’s capture, and Trump’s prediction that Cuba is "going down for the count" due to lost Venezuelan support (AP News).
The Mirror reports on Trump’s Truth Social posts and Cuba’s official response, including the death of 32 Cuban nationals during the US raid, framing the conflict’s human cost (The Mirror).
Together, these sources provide a multifaceted view of escalating US pressure on Cuba through energy and financial sanctions, Cuba’s resistance, and the broader geopolitical shifts following the US operation in Venezuela.
How we got here
Cuba has long depended on Venezuela for oil and financial aid, receiving about 27,000 to 35,000 barrels daily, covering roughly half its oil deficit. The US has imposed sanctions on Cuba for decades, intensifying pressure after US forces captured Venezuelan President Maduro on January 3, 2026. The US is negotiating a $2 billion deal to import Venezuelan oil, signaling a shift in regional power dynamics.
Go deeper
- What are the details of the US-Venezuela oil deal?
- How is Cuba responding to the loss of Venezuelan oil?
- What are the implications for regional stability in the Americas?
Common question
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What Does the US Cutting Off Cuba's Venezuelan Oil Mean for the Future?
Recent US sanctions have targeted Cuba's reliance on Venezuelan oil, following the capture of Venezuela's President Maduro. This move raises questions about regional stability, Cuba's economy, and US-Cuba relations. Below, we explore the key questions and what they could mean for the future of these nations.
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What Are the Biggest News Stories Today?
Today's headlines cover a wide range of critical issues, from escalating conflicts and military threats to protests and ancient mysteries. Curious about what's happening around the world? Below, you'll find answers to the most common questions about today's top news stories, helping you stay informed and understand the bigger picture.
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Why Did the US Cut Venezuelan Oil to Cuba?
In early 2026, the US took a bold step by halting Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, intensifying tensions in the region. This move raises questions about US foreign policy, regional power dynamics, and Cuba's response. Curious about the reasons behind this decision and its implications? Keep reading to understand the complex geopolitical landscape shaping Latin America today.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many small islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
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Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a country comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet.
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.
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Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (Latin American Spanish: [miˈɣel ˈdi.as kaˈnel]; born 20 April 1960) is a Cuban politician and engineer who has served as the 8th First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, since 2021, and as the 17th president of Cub