The president of the United States, Donald Trump, stated on Tuesday that Cuba “is about to fall” because it stopped receiving oil from Venezuela after the departure of dictator Nicolás Maduro, and maintained that Washington maintains a “very strong presence” in the South American country.
“Cuba is about to fall. Cuba is a nation that is very close to collapse,” Trump assured the press before holding a rally in Iowa. The president pointed out that the Cuban government depended on Venezuelan resources and highlighted the impact of the cut in supplies.“They got their money from Venezuela, they got their oil from Venezuela, but they no longer have it,” he said.
Trump also referred to the situation in Venezuela and stated that the United States has “a very strong presence” in that country, which he described as having “the largest oil reserves in the world.”In this framework, he maintained that his Government works “excellently” with the interim Government of DelcyRodríguez.
“Now they will do better than ever and we will be earning a lot of money for them and a lot of money for our country. We have a very good relationship with the leaders of Venezuela and we are going to keep it that way,” said the US president.
From Havana, the Cuban dictatorship condemned the US intervention in Caracas and described it as an “act of terrorism.”The Cuban authorities warned that they will not tolerate intimidation or threats from the United States, which, as they noted, does not even rule out the use of military force.
The dictator of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, rejected any possibility of negotiation under pressure and ruled out political concessions to Washington. “There is no surrender or surrender possible, nor any type of understanding based on coercion or intimidation. Cuba does not have to make any political concessions nor will that ever be on a negotiating table for an understanding between Cuba and the United States,” he stated.
For his part, the island’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, wrote on social networks that “in response to the predictions of ‘fall’ issued by President Trump from Iowa, thousands of Cubans, led by young people, march in the streets of Havana in honor of the independence hero José Martí and with him, his firm anti-imperialist and unwavering position.”
Trump’s statements and the response of the Cuban regime reflect an increase in tension between both countries after the events in Venezuela.While Washington maintains that the end of oil supplies will have a decisive impact on Cuba, Havana insists on its rejection of any form of depression or threat from the United States.
(With information from AFP and EFE)
