US President Donald Trump warned that Cuba could face economic collapse as a result of the United States’ intervention in Venezuela, saying Havana has lost the oil and financial lifeline it relied on for decades. Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News’ Hannity, underscoring the impact of Venezuela’s shift away from supporting Cuba following the US operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

“Cuba totally relies on Venezuela for money and for oil. That doesn’t work anymore,” Trump said, describing the bilateral arrangement that had underpinned Havana’s economy for years. “That was always the deal — Cuba gives protection to Venezuela, and Venezuela gives Cuba money through oil.”

Experts say Venezuela’s oil support had been a cornerstone of Cuba’s economy, providing a substantial share of the island’s energy needs in exchange for medical personnel and security assistance. With Caracas now under US influence and oil shipments drying up, analysts warn the island nation could face intensified shortages of fuel, foreign exchange and other critical imports.

Trump suggested that the collapse of Venezuelan support may push Cuba into a deeper crisis, emphasizing that Havana has few alternatives to replace the lost Venezuelan oil. “I don’t think there are any alternatives to Cuba,” he said, according to the interview.

The president also reiterated his desire to assist Cuban Americans, particularly those living in the United States, and highlighted past hardships faced by Cuban émigrés who fled under the Castro regime. Trump said the United States “wants to see positive change” in Cuba but did not outline a specific policy toward the island nation.

Cuba’s government has historically denounced US policies in the region, framing external pressure as hostile and illegitimate. Following the US operation in Venezuela, Havana’s leadership described Washington’s actions as destabilising and threatening regional peace.

Analysts note that while Venezuela’s loss of oil support compounds existing economic strains in Cuba, deeper structural issues — including chronic shortages, declining tourism and long-standing agricultural challenges — have weakened the island’s economy for years. Nonetheless, the sudden disruption of energy supplies increases the urgency of economic pressures and raises questions about how Havana will respond in the coming months.

Trump’s remarks reflect broader US strategic thinking in the region following the capture of Maduro, signalling an assertive posture on energy, security and influence that continues to draw global attention.