“Cuba is an independent, free, and sovereign nation. No one dictates our actions. Cuba is neither aggressive nor a threat to anyone. We have faced aggression from the US for 66 years. Cuba is prepared and ready to defend its homeland to the last drop of blood,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez posted on social media on 11/1.

He emphasized, “Those who commodify everything, including human lives, completely lack the moral authority to criticize Cuba on any matter.”

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez in Brussels, Belgium in 2023. Photo: Reuters

President Diaz-Canel Bermudez’s statement followed a social media post by US President Donald Trump, who declared, “There will be no more money or oil coming to Cuba,” and added, “I strongly suggest Cuba make a deal with the US before it’s too late.” Mr. Trump did not specify the terms of the agreement he referenced.

The US president stated, “For many years, Cuba depended on significant amounts of oil and money from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided security guarantees for the two most recent Venezuelan leaders, but that is no longer the case.”

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez affirmed the nation’s “absolute right to import fuel from willing export markets and for those exercising their right to develop trade relations without interference or dependence on unilateral US coercive measures.” He also criticized the US for acting like “criminals” and threatening global peace.

Cuba maintains close relations with Venezuela and has provided security assistance to Mr. Maduro for many years.

Last week, the Cuban government confirmed that 32 citizens, including military and intelligence personnel, died in Venezuela during a US-led raid aimed at capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Cuban state television reported that the nation’s military officers and security personnel were deployed at the request of the Venezuelan government.

Foreign Minister Rodriguez asserted that Cuba has never received payment for the security assistance it provides to other nations.

Caracas is reportedly Havana’s largest oil supplier, but shipping data indicates no shipments have left Venezuelan ports for Cuba since President Maduro’s capture, amid strict US blockade measures to control Venezuela’s oil exports.

Meanwhile, Caracas and Washington are advancing a deal valued at USD 2 billion for Venezuela to supply up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US. The proceeds will be transferred into accounts monitored by the US Treasury Department, marking a significant test for the developing relationship between Mr. Trump and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez.