After the US attack on Venezuela, will Cuba’s economy survive?

In January 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro by U.S. special forces. During the meeting, Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize, which she had recently won for her opposition to Maduro. Trump accepted the prize, according to an unnamed White House official, and expressed his gratitude on social media. Machado, leader of Vente Venezuela, won the prize after being barred from running in the 2024 presidential elections despite winning the opposition's primary. The meeting occurred amid uncertainty about Venezuela's future and Trump's potential influence over its leadership.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stated in Washington on Friday that Venezuela is beginning a transition to democracy and will achieve freedom with support from the U.S. and Donald Trump. Machado's party alleges that Nicolas Maduro stole the 2024 election, a claim supported by Washington and the international community. However, despite Machado's appeal, Trump has chosen to support former Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader, prioritizing U.S. access to Venezuela's oil reserves. Trump believes Machado lacks sufficient support among Venezuelans. Machado maintains that this transition will significantly impact Venezuelans, the region, and the world.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will meet with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. This meeting occurs weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Despite Machado's movement claiming victory in the contested 2024 elections, the US has backed Maduro's former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, as interim president. Machado hopes to thank Trump for the action against Maduro and offer him her Nobel Peace Prize, although the Nobel Committee clarified it is non-transferable. Trump has expressed reservations about Machado's leadership potential in Venezuela, despite acknowledging her desire to meet. The US considers Rodríguez an ally and cooperative, while Machado insists her coalition should lead Venezuela and criticizes Rodríguez's role in repression.

In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared that no more Venezuelan oil or money would go to Cuba, urging the island nation to strike a deal with the US. This announcement comes after the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces and a strict US oil blockade on Venezuela, Cuba's primary oil supplier. Trump suggested Cuba had long relied on Venezuelan resources and should negotiate with the US before it's "too late." Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected Trump's threats, asserting Cuba's sovereignty and right to defend itself. Cuban officials also defended Cuba's right to import fuel from any willing supplier and accused the US of acting as a criminal hegemon.

Donald Trump has warned Cuba to "make a deal" or face unspecified consequences, following the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and a halt to Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Trump stated that Cuba would receive "ZERO" oil or money from Venezuela, urging them to negotiate before it's "too late." He claimed Cuba previously relied on Venezuelan oil and money in exchange for security services, alleging many Cuban security personnel died in a recent US attack. Cuba's foreign minister refuted claims of compensation for security services and asserted Cuba's right to import fuel from any country, accusing the US of criminal behavior. The US and Venezuela are reportedly working on a $2 billion oil deal, signaling a potential shift in relations.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with former President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. During the meeting, Machado stated that she "presented" her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump as recognition for his commitment to Venezuelan freedom, though it is unclear if he accepted it. Machado, whose movement claimed victory in Venezuela's contested 2024 elections, framed the gesture as a symbol of brotherhood between the US and Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. Trump has been dealing with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting head of state, instead of endorsing Machado. The Nobel Committee clarified that the prize itself is not transferable, although the medal can change ownership.

In January 2026, Cuba received the remains of 32 Cuban soldiers. The soldiers were killed during a US bombing of Venezuela. The repatriation ceremony in Cuba included a guard of honor led by former Cuban President Raul Castro. The event marks a somber moment in the relationship between Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States, highlighting the human cost of international conflict. The article does not specify the exact date of the bombing or why the Cuban soldiers were in Venezuela.

On January 16, 2026, Cuba launched a mass demonstration in Havana to protest a U.S. operation in Venezuela. The rally, organized by the Cuban government, specifically decried the killing of Cuban officers during the U.S. action, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Demonstrators marched outside the U.S. Embassy, carrying Cuban flags and demanding Maduro's release. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel participated in the protest, holding a Cuban flag and marching alongside the demonstrators. The event highlights Cuba's strong condemnation of U.S. involvement in Venezuela and its support for the Maduro regime.

On January 15, 2026, Cuba received the remains of 32 citizens killed in U.S. strikes in Venezuela earlier that month. The Cubans were part of Nicolás Maduro's security detail. The strikes occurred during a U.S. operation to capture Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan president. The remains were received at Havana's international airport by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other high-ranking officials. Cuba had relied on Venezuelan oil shipments, which have ceased since Maduro's ousting, causing economic hardship for the country. The U.S. President stated that the U.S. military would enforce a separation between Venezuela and Cuba.

Venezuela's government announced on Thursday the release of an unspecified but "important number" of political prisoners, both Venezuelan and foreign nationals. This marks the first conciliatory gesture by the new administration following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. The decision, according to National Assembly head Jorge Rodríguez, aims to reinforce peace and coexistence within the country. While prisoners' rights groups estimate that hundreds remain incarcerated, this announcement offers a glimmer of hope amid ongoing detentions. Human rights organizations have expressed cautious optimism, calling for the release of all political prisoners as a step towards restoring democracy, while noting that similar releases have occurred in the past without leading to lasting change.

Following the removal of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd, Venezuelans are experiencing mixed reactions of relief and apprehension after 30 years of socialist rule. While Maduro faces justice in the U.S., citizens remain wary due to a government decree criminalizing celebrations or support of the U.S. operation, punishable by immediate arrest. Checkpoints have been established, allowing law enforcement to randomly check citizens and their phones, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Venezuelans express concerns about sovereignty, daily survival, and the potential for further crisis despite Maduro's departure. The power vacuum left by Maduro has exposed vulnerabilities and heightened anxieties about the future.

Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela released a "large number" of political prisoners, including opposition candidate Enrique Marquez and several foreign nationals, on January 9, 2026. The releases occurred after Maduro's former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, became interim leader with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump. The move is seen as a concession to the U.S., which seeks access to Venezuela's oil reserves. While the exact number and identities of those released were not immediately disclosed, rights groups estimate over 800 political prisoners remain in Venezuelan jails. The White House credited Trump's leverage for securing the prisoners' freedom.

In January 2026, Venezuela initiated exploratory talks with the United States to potentially re-establish formal diplomatic ties, which were severed in 2019. This development follows the US military's abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an action widely condemned as a violation of international law. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced that US State Department officials are visiting Caracas, and Venezuela plans to send a delegation to Washington. The goal of these discussions is to restore diplomatic missions in both countries after relations deteriorated under President Hugo Chavez and fully ceased when the US recognized Juan Guaido as interim president in 2019. Despite condemning the US action, Rodriguez emphasized the need for dialogue and peace in the region.

Following the U.S. capture of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, both countries announced they are exploring the possibility of restoring diplomatic ties. Venezuela stated it would send a delegation to Washington to assess its embassy, while U.S. diplomats visited Caracas to evaluate resuming embassy operations after nearly seven years. The exploratory diplomatic process aims to re-establish diplomatic missions in both countries and address the consequences of Maduro's capture. Despite ongoing tensions and conflicting actions, such as the U.S. targeting drug cartels allegedly linked to the Venezuelan government, both sides have expressed interest in a potential restoration of relations. These developments highlight the rapidly evolving and contradictory nature of the U.S.-Venezuela relationship.

Following the U.S. capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela faces increased instability as armed militias, guerrilla groups, and criminal networks exploit the power vacuum. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, backed by the U.S., now leads the country, but analysts warn that heavily armed groups could derail any progress toward stability. Key figures like Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino must be kept onside to maintain order. Government-aligned militias are already deployed in cities to suppress dissent, while guerrilla groups and organized crime are expanding their influence along Venezuela's borders and in resource-rich areas. The situation creates an environment of instability that benefits these armed actors.

In January 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on drug trafficking charges. Trump stated the US would "run" Venezuela until a proper transition, claiming Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, now interim president, was cooperating with the US. However, Rodríguez publicly condemned the US action as "brutal aggression" and demanded Maduro's release. Tensions between the US and Venezuela had escalated previously, particularly after the US attacked vessels off the Venezuelan coast in September 2025, citing drug smuggling concerns. Trump dismissed Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, despite her recent Nobel Peace Prize and high approval ratings within Venezuela. Maduro had been in power since 2013, succeeding Hugo Chavez, with US relations deteriorating under both leaders.

In January 2026, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that at least 100 people were killed in what he described as a US attack in Venezuela. The attack allegedly occurred on Saturday and resulted in the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro. Dozens more were reportedly wounded in the incident. The minister attributed the casualties and the change in leadership to the actions of the United States. The specific details and motivations behind the alleged US attack were not provided in the report.