The President of the United States, Donald Trump, sent a direct message to the Cuban regime during his statements on Saturday night.
When asked by a journalist about the consequences for the island following the measures that limit its access to oil, Trump stated: “It doesn’t have to be a humanitarian crisis. They could come to us and we would make a deal. That way Cuba would be free again.”
The U.S. president responded in a firm tone: “I believe we are going to make a deal with Cuba. We will be nice, but we have a very bad situation there.”
National emergency and oil blockade
Trump's words come just a few days after he signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency in response to the threat from the Cuban regime.
The measure imposes tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly, and aims to cut off one of the main sources of economic support for the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The document, signed on January 29 at the White House, accuses the regime of aligning itself with “hostile countries and malign actors” such as Russia, China, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
According to Washington, Cuba hosts the largest Russian intelligence base outside of Moscow and cooperates with China on military and espionage operations in the Caribbean.
The Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, suspended the shipment of crude oil to Cuba following the new sanctions policy, but warned that the measure could lead to "a humanitarian crisis" on the Island. Trump believes there is no reason for this if the regime agrees to a political change.
Díaz-Canel's response
From Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Trump of imposing an “energy siege” to suffocate the country. “They have decided to deprive the Cuban people of the necessary fuel to sustain their economy and daily life,” he said.
He described the U.S. policy as "evil and imperialist wickedness" and asserted that the regime will not surrender.
"Our premise will continue to be to prepare ourselves to move forward even as aggression and restrictions intensify. Never will surrender be an option."
Tensions are rising following the military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Washington warns that its goal remains to “liberate the Cuban people from the control of communism.”
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