Trump predicts Cuba's imminent failure after losing Venezuelan support

US President Donald Trump has declared that Cuba is nearing a state of collapse due to the severing of its long-standing economic lifeline from Venezuela. The comments reflect the administration's view that maximum pressure policies against both leftist governments are achieving their intended effect.

A statement on Cuba's economic vulnerability

Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump stated, "Cuba will be failing pretty soon. Cuba is really a nation that's very close to failing." He directly linked this prediction to the loss of support from Venezuela, a key ally for decades. "They got their money from Venezuela. They got their oil from Venezuela. They're not getting that anymore," he added.

Context of regional pressure and shifting alliances

The remark underscores the significant impact of political and economic changes in Venezuela, which has historically supplied Cuba with subsidized oil in exchange for services like medical personnel. Under the Trump administration, intensified sanctions and support for Venezuela's opposition have drastically reduced Caracas's capacity to assist Havana. This has compounded Cuba's existing economic difficulties, which include a longstanding US embargo and internal structural challenges.

Implications for US policy in Latin America

Trump's statement aligns with a broader US strategy of applying maximum pressure on socialist governments in the Western Hemisphere that it views as adversaries. By highlighting Cuba's growing isolation and resource scarcity, the administration signals its intent to maintain a hardline approach, anticipating potential political change in Havana as a result of economic strangulation.