New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Cuban authorities, stating that they must reach an agreement with Washington to avoid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba.
This ultimatum follows President Trump’s recent executive order imposing tariffs on goods from countries that sell oil to Cuba. The move has intensified the longstanding US embargo against Cuba, which dates back to the 1960s. Venezuela, Cuba’s primary oil supplier, has been heavily impacted by these sanctions.
In response, the US took action against Venezuela’s government, resulting in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, Mexico has increased its oil deliveries to Cuba in recent weeks. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on Friday that Trump’s order could trigger a large-scale humanitarian crisis, directly affecting hospitals, food supplies, and essential services for the Cuban people.
When questioned by the media aboard Air Force One on Saturday about Sheinbaum’s remarks, President Trump said, “Well, it doesn’t have to be a humanitarian crisis. I think they will probably come to us and want to make a deal. Then Cuba will be free again.”
He added, “The situation in Cuba is very bad. They have no money. They have no oil. They lived off Venezuela’s money and oil, and now none of that is coming.”
President Trump expressed confidence that both sides would reach a deal and that Washington would show leniency towards Havana. However, he did not specify the exact concessions he expects from the Cuban government, only noting that many people in the US would want to return to Cuba and that efforts are underway regarding this.
On Saturday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Washington of strangling Cuba’s economy. She reiterated Moscow’s opposition to the unilateral US sanctions not approved by the United Nations and expressed confidence that Havana will overcome its economic difficulties.
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