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Cuba's political and economic future in jeopardy after Maduro's ousting
The abrupt removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by a US military operation has sent shockwaves through Cuba, the nation most dependent on Caracas's political and economic support. Cuban officials have condemned the action as illegal and declared two days of national mourning for 32 Cuban nationals killed in the raid, exposing Havana's deep involvement in Venezuela's security apparatus.
Decades of socialist alliance unravel
The bond between Cuba and Venezuela traces back to 1999, when Hugo Chávez, then a presidential candidate, met Fidel Castro in Havana. Their shared vision of state-led socialism forged a partnership that saw Venezuelan oil flow to Cuba in exchange for Cuban medical personnel and advisors. After Chávez's death, Maduro-trained in Cuba and endorsed by Havana-became his successor, ensuring continuity for both revolutions.
Cuban influence in Venezuela laid bare
The deaths of Cuban nationals in the US operation revealed Havana's long-denied military and intelligence presence in Venezuela. Maduro's security detail was reportedly staffed almost entirely by Cuban bodyguards, while Cuban agents held key positions in Venezuela's intelligence and military structures. Former political prisoners have previously alleged interrogations by individuals with Cuban accents, contradicting Havana's official denials.
Economic lifeline at risk
Venezuela supplies Cuba with approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily, a critical resource unmatched by other partners like Russia or Mexico. The Trump administration's seizure of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers has already exacerbated Cuba's fuel and electricity shortages, threatening to deepen the island's worst economic crisis since the Cold War. Rolling blackouts, rotting food, and overwhelmed healthcare systems have become daily realities for Cubans.
Health and infrastructure collapse
Months of power outages have crippled Cuba's infrastructure, leaving residents without reliable electricity, air conditioning, or refrigeration. Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya have surged, overwhelming a healthcare system once hailed as a revolutionary achievement. Uncollected garbage and stagnant water have worsened public health risks.
US demands compliance from Venezuela's new leadership
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez faces intense pressure from Washington to align with US interests. President Trump has warned of "further consequences" if she resists, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio-whose family fled Cuba-has framed Latin America as the US's "backyard," invoking the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine. Rubio has also signaled a broader strategy to weaken Cuba's communist government, viewing Maduro's removal as a step toward that goal.
Defiant responses from Havana and Washington
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel honored the 32 deceased Cubans as "brave combatants" who died fighting "imperial terrorists." Trump, however, dismissed Havana's defiance, stating on Air Force One, "Cuba is ready to fall." Critics accuse the US of Cold War-era interventionism, calling Maduro's removal a kidnapping and demanding his case be dismissed in a New York court.
Uncertain future for Cuba
With Maduro gone, Cuba's economic and political stability hangs in the balance. The potential loss of Venezuelan oil, coupled with the US embargo, could push the island into deeper turmoil. For ordinary Cubans, the crisis is already a daily struggle-one that shows no signs of easing.
