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

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.

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.

Donald Trump is pressuring Cuba to "make a deal" or face consequences, citing the end of Venezuelan oil and financial support. Trump stated that the U.S. will no longer allow oil or money to flow from Venezuela to Cuba, ending Cuba's provision of security services to Venezuelan leaders. This follows a U.S. raid in Venezuela that resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban nationals who were providing security for Nicolás Maduro. Trump asserted that the U.S. will now protect Venezuela. While Cuba has not responded, President Díaz-Canel previously honored the deceased Cubans. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Cuba's leaders should be worried, and Trump reposted a message suggesting Rubio could become president of Cuba.

Cuba mourned the loss of 32 troops killed in Venezuela during a recent U.S. military intervention. The remains were returned to Havana with full military honors, attended by Cuban leadership. This event marks the largest loss of Cuban combatants to U.S. forces since the Bay of Pigs invasion. The incident has forced the Cuban government to acknowledge the presence of its intelligence officers within the Venezuelan government, confirming long-standing claims of Cuban involvement in Venezuela's security apparatus. These officers were part of a strategy to help the Maduro regime maintain power. The deaths have raised concerns within Cuba about the implications of their alliance with Venezuela.

The U.S. government issued a security alert on January 10th, urging American citizens in Venezuela to leave the country immediately due to safety concerns. The U.S. Embassy Caracas cited reports of armed militias, known as "colectivos," establishing roadblocks and searching vehicles, potentially targeting U.S. citizens or those perceived as supporting the United States. The alert emphasizes the U.S. government's inability to provide emergency services or consular assistance in Venezuela, as all diplomatic personnel were withdrawn in March 2019. The State Department continues to advise against travel to Venezuela, listing it at Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to risks including wrongful detention, terrorism, crime, and civil unrest. With the resumption of international flights, Americans are advised to depart Venezuela as soon as it is safe to do so.

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 Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 5, 2026, President Trump stated that Cuba is weakened and "ready to fall" due to the loss of Venezuelan oil revenue. He suggested military intervention in Cuba may not be necessary, anticipating its collapse. Cuba's foreign minister expressed concern that Maduro's overthrow creates an existential threat to Cuba's sovereignty. The U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil is cutting off a crucial economic lifeline for Cuba, exacerbating an existing economic crisis and political dissatisfaction on the island. The situation places Cuba in a precarious position, potentially inviting further U.S. action.