Tensions between the US and Cuba are at an all-time high, fueled by recent dramatic events involving Venezuela. US President Donald Trump has made it clear: he’s turning up the heat, vowing to cut off crucial oil and financial lifelines from long-time Cuban ally, Venezuela.
The backdrop to this escalating situation is the US military’s recent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Following this controversial raid, President Trump declared the US would now “run” Venezuela, with Maduro’s former vice-president taking the interim reins under American oversight. Trump is confident that without Venezuelan support, Cuba is on the brink. “Cuba will be failing pretty soon,” he stated, emphasizing that the island nation is no longer receiving the oil or money it once depended on from Venezuela.
This aggressive stance hasn’t gone without international criticism. The United Nations’ human rights office has condemned Maduro’s seizure as a violation of international law. Furthermore, human rights experts are questioning the US’s motives, suggesting an “imperialist approach” rather than a genuine law enforcement action. Meanwhile, Cuba’s President remains defiant, asserting that Washington lacks the moral authority to dictate terms, especially after Trump suggested Cuba should strike a deal with the US.
As the US flexes its geopolitical muscles in the Caribbean, the future for Cuba hangs in the balance. Will the island nation withstand the economic squeeze, or will Trump’s gambit force a significant shift in its destiny? The coming months will undoubtedly reveal the true impact of these escalating tensions on the region.
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/trump-says-cuba-will-be-failing-pretty-soon
