Trump Says Cuba “Ready to Fall” as Washington Escalates Pressure After Venezuela Operation
US President Donald Trump claimed that Cuba is on the brink of collapse, arguing that Havana has lost its primary source of income following recent US actions against Venezuela. “Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it now,” Trump said, adding that many “great Cuban Americans” would be pleased by these developments.
Trump’s remarks came after US Senator Lindsey Graham declared that Cuba’s “days are numbered,” following what Washington described as a large-scale US military strike in Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday while traveling with Trump, Graham warned “Just wait for Cuba… their days are numbered.” Graham expressed hope that by 2026 the United States would have “allies in these countries doing business with America”.
On Saturday, Trump announced that US military action in Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pledging that Washington would assert American control over the country for the time being, including the use of US troops if necessary. Maduro and Flores were transported to New York late Saturday and are being held at a detention center in Brooklyn, facing US federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with groups designated as terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied the accusations, while officials in Caracas have demanded the couple’s release. Meanwhile, Cuba announced on Sunday that 32 of its combatants were killed during the US intervention in Venezuela, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel declaring January 5 and 6 national days of mourning.
