Trump says Cuba is 'going down' as Venezuelan oil disruptions threaten services

Time reports that on Sunday President Donald Trump dismissed the idea of U.S. military action against Cuba while offering a bleak assessment of the island’s economic and political stability, saying it is "going down for the count." The turmoil following the capture and extraction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by the United States has revived fears in Cuba about energy supplies.

The U.S. is pressuring Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as Venezuela’s president, to halt oil shipments; Cuba was receiving about 35,000 barrels per day from Venezuela in late 2025. The seizure of Venezuela-linked tankers by U.S. forces has added uncertainty about Caracas-to-Havana deliveries, which are critical for power plants, transport, and basic services.

Those external pressures compound deep domestic problems. Cuba’s economy was about 15% smaller than in 2018, tourism arrivals in 2025 were less than half of 2019 levels, and electricity generation in 2025 was roughly 25% lower than in 2019. Official statistics show infant mortality rose from around 4 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to more than 9 per 1,000 in 2025, and the number of registered physicians fell from 106,131 in 2021 to 75,364 by the end of 2024, a 29% decline.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, Cuba, Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuelan Oil