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

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.

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.

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.

Following the reported removal of Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela by a US military operation, Cuba faces an uncertain future. Cuba and Venezuela have maintained close ties since 1999, with Venezuela providing oil to Cuba in exchange for Cuban doctors and support. The Cuban government has condemned the US action, declared national mourning for Cuban nationals killed in the operation, and acknowledged the presence of Cuban security personnel protecting Maduro. The article highlights Cuba's significant influence within the Venezuelan government and military, including the presence of Cuban advisors and security details. It also notes internal tensions within Venezuela regarding the perceived imbalance in the relationship, as Venezuela continues to supply Cuba with approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily. The loss of Maduro is expected to have a negative impact on Cuba, which is already experiencing food shortages.

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.

In a January 10, 2026, interview with Al Jazeera, Colombian President Gustavo Petro addressed growing pressure from the United States following the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on "narcoterrorism" charges. Petro responded to accusations made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on the implications for Colombian sovereignty. The Colombian leader discussed the balance between diplomacy and confrontation in the region. Petro also considered whether Latin America is entering a period of instability and the potential impact on regional sovereignty. The interview explored the broader context of U.S. actions and their effect on Latin American politics.

Tensions between the U.S. and Colombia have escalated following U.S. military action in Venezuela. Former U.S. President Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of being a "sick man" involved in cocaine production and hinted at potential military intervention in Colombia. Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, vehemently denied the accusations and warned that U.S. military action would incite widespread rebellion. He stated he would take up arms again to defend Colombia, despite previously vowing not to. The Colombian defense minister has since reinforced the president's security detail. The dispute highlights a deterioration in relations between the two countries, traditionally allies in the fight against drug trafficking.

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.

Donald Trump plans to meet with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House in the "near future," despite recent tensions. This follows a US raid in Venezuela and Trump's critical remarks about Petro, accusing him of drug trafficking. Petro responded by warning of potential armed conflict if the US took military action against Colombia. Trump's administration previously sanctioned Petro in October for allegedly failing to curb drug trafficking, leading to increased cocaine production. Despite these disagreements, Trump described his conversation with Petro as a "Great Honor" and indicated that arrangements are being made for Petro's visit.

In 2026, U.S. military strikes in Venezuela targeting President Maduro's security detail resulted in significant Cuban casualties, revealing the extent of Cuba's security presence in Venezuela. At least 32 of the 80 killed were Cuban armed forces or interior ministry members. This highlights Maduro's reliance on Cuban agents for protection amid U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. Cuba's involvement in Venezuelan security began over two decades prior, after a coup attempt against Hugo Chávez in 2002, when Cuba provided military intelligence and assistance to maintain socialist power. Since then, Cuba has provided extensive support to Venezuela's military and security apparatus.

Following US strikes in Venezuela and the abduction of President Maduro on January 6, 2026, Colombia is preparing for a potential refugee crisis. Defense Minister Sanchez announced the deployment of 30,000 soldiers to the Venezuelan border to bolster security and enacted emergency measures to support refugees. The Colombian government established five emergency command posts in border cities to coordinate humanitarian aid, security, and territorial control. These measures are in response to the potential influx of over a million Venezuelan refugees and concerns about armed groups, like the ELN and Segunda Marquetalia, seeking refuge in Colombia after operating in Venezuela. President Petro dispatched Minister Florian to Cucuta to address humanitarian concerns.

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, the United States conducted a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, according to former US President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated this marked a "new dawn" for Venezuela. Maduro's government condemned the action as military aggression. Colombian President Gustavo Petro alerted the world to the attack and reiterated the need for peace and respect for international law. US media outlets like Fox News and CBS News also reported on the strikes within Venezuela.

In January 2026, the United States conducted a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, according to former US President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated this marked a "new dawn" for Venezuela. Maduro's government condemned the action as military aggression. Colombian President Gustavo Petro alerted the world to the attack and reiterated the need for peace and respect for international law. US media outlets like Fox News and CBS News also reported on the strikes within Venezuela.

In January 2026, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president, according to the U.S. Following this, President Trump stated that Rodríguez would cooperate with the U.S. in governing Venezuela. However, Rodríguez quickly refuted this in a televised address, condemning the U.S. as an illegal invader and affirming Venezuela's determination to remain free. She emphasized that the U.S. seeks regime change to seize Venezuela's resources. Rodríguez delivered her address alongside Venezuela’s National Defense Council, signaling a unified front against U.S. intervention. She and other Venezuelan leaders continue to recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president, defying Trump's demands.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's Vice President, was sworn in as interim leader in January 2026. She is known for her leftist background as the daughter of a Marxist guerrilla and her rapid rise in Nicolás Maduro's government. Despite her leftist credentials, Rodríguez has cultivated relationships with Venezuela's business community and foreign investors, spearheading market-friendly economic reforms after the country's economic crisis. While President Trump stated that Rodríguez had been sworn in as Venezuela’s new president, Rodríguez and Maduro's supporters maintain that Maduro is still the legitimate leader. She rose to prominence after Maduro became president in 2013, holding positions such as communications minister and foreign affairs minister.