Cuba Faces Uncertain Future After US Operation in Venezuela

Thu Jan 08 2026 03:34:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Cuba navigates the stormy waters of a post-Maduro era following the US military's intervention in Venezuela, the island grapples with heightened uncertainty and economic challenges.

Cuba's longstanding relationship with Venezuela is now in jeopardy after Nicolás Maduro was forcibly removed from power by a US military operation. The Cuban government denounced the action, mourning the loss of Cuban nationals involved in the conflict. With crucial oil supplies threatened and ongoing economic crises worsening, the future remains bleak for Cuba as it challenges US influence in the region.

Following the dramatic US operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, Cuba finds itself at a critical juncture. Historically aligned through shared ideological beliefs, the two nations have depended on each other for vital resources and political support. For decades, Venezuelan oil has been Cuba's lifeline, enabling the island to sustain its socialist economy, relying heavily on the flow of crude oil in exchange for medical services provided by Cuban professionals in Venezuela.

With Maduro's ousting, Cuba is wrestling with immediate repercussions. The Cuban government has condemned the US operation as an illegal military intervention and declared national mourning for the Cuban nationals who died in the process. The attack highlighted a troubling truth regarding Cuba's substantial influence in Venezuela's military and security sectors, often denying such presence publicly.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed solidarity with the fallen Cuban combatants, reaffirming Cuba's defiance against US imperialism. The tense situation worsens as reports indicate that US sanctions against Venezuelan oil trade might significantly disturb fuel supplies to the island, which is already grappling with its worst economic crisis since the Cold War.

Economic struggles have manifested in severe energy shortages, food scarcity, and a significant rise in mosquito-borne diseases, straining Cuba’s healthcare system. These challenges paint a grim picture for ordinary Cubans who must endure rolling blackouts and deteriorating public services.

The economic crisis is exacerbating fears that the cessation of Venezuelan oil imports will plunge Cuba deeper into turmoil. US officials, including President Trump, are urging a shift in government compliance within Venezuela, directly implicating consequences that could expand beyond Venezuela into Cuban affairs.

With the future of US-Cuban relations hanging in the balance, the island is preparing to defend its sovereignty amid increasing uncertainties and global scrutiny regarding its ties with Venezuela.