In a bold move, President Trump’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro shakes the foundations of Cuba’s regime and sends shockwaves throughout Latin America.
Story Snapshot
- Trump’s operation captures Maduro, disrupting drug networks and Cuban oil dependency.
- Cuba faces economic collapse without Venezuelan oil, per Trump’s predictions.
- Colombian President Petro warned amidst regional instability concerns.
- U.S. pledges to transform Venezuelan oil industry for the people’s benefit.
Trump’s Decisive Move Against Maduro
On December 30, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a U.S. military operation. This action is framed as a historic blow against drug trafficking networks and anti-U.S. socialist regimes in Latin America. The operation included strategic strikes in Venezuela’s capital, resulting in Maduro and his wife’s capture on U.S. soil charges related to drug trafficking. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, emphasized the need to dismantle the Maduro-Cuba-Iran axis.
This decisive action has brought about a significant shift in the power dynamics within Latin America, with Cuba particularly affected due to its heavy reliance on Venezuelan oil. Trump claims this development could lead to Cuba’s economic collapse, as the island nation loses its primary oil supply, a lifeline that has supported its economy for decades.
Cuba’s Economic Crisis Looms
Cuba’s economy, historically supported by Venezuela’s oil through the Petrocaribe agreement, now faces an unprecedented crisis. Without the Venezuelan oil, which accounted for nearly all of Cuba’s energy needs, the island nation is at risk of severe energy shortages and economic turmoil. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the U.S. actions as terrorism, while Trump remains steadfast in his assertion that Cuba is on the brink of collapse.
The U.S. administration has pledged to aid Venezuela in transitioning its oil industry to benefit its citizens, distancing itself from direct governance. Marco Rubio has clarified on CBS News that the U.S. aims to stop drug trafficking and ensure that oil revenues aid Venezuela’s people, without Iranian or Cuban influence.
Regional Implications and Future Prospects
The impact of Maduro’s capture extends beyond Venezuela and Cuba. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been implicitly cautioned by the U.S., signaling potential actions against other leftist leaders allied with cartels. The power vacuum in Venezuela could lead to internal strife, with military factions and cartels vying for control, impacting regional stability.
In the long term, the U.S. hopes to redirect Venezuelan oil from adversaries, enhancing its energy security and weakening the leftist bloc in Latin America. This move is seen as reinforcing Trump’s regional influence while putting socialist alliances on notice.
Sources:
Cuba ready to fall after Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s ousting, Donald Trump says
Maduro’s capture puts Cuba’s Venezuelan oil-dependent economy at risk
