At a Glance
- The U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
- U.S. officials Rubio and Trump warned Cuba of imminent pressure.
- Cuba has condemned the action as state terrorism.
- Why it matters: The move signals a new U.S. stance toward Cuba and Venezuela, reshaping Latin-American geopolitics.
The capture of Maduro sparked a wave of U.S. statements targeting Cuba, with officials citing Cuba’s support for the former president.
U.S. Operation Seizes Maduro
The overnight operation resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, marking a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on the Venezuelan regime.
U.S. Officials’ Statements
- Marco Rubio warned Cuban leaders that they are in trouble, noting that Cuban bodyguards protected Maduro.
- Donald Trump compared Cuba to Venezuela, saying it is a “failing nation” and that the U.S. may target its government next.
- Rubio added that Cuban intelligence operated inside Maduro’s government, calling it “all Cubans.”
Marco Rubio stated:
> “I’m not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard,”
> “But I don’t think it’s any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.”
Donald Trump announced:
> “I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation right now, a very badly failing nation, and we want to help the people.”
Cuban Response
- Miguel Diaz-Canel denounced the U.S. action as state terrorism.
- The Cuban government issued a statement condemning the “military aggression” and reaffirming solidarity with Venezuela.
Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X:
> “#Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the U.S. on #Venezuela. Our #ZonaDePaz is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America.”
Cuban Government statement:
> “This cowardly U.S. aggression constitutes a criminal act and a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It represents a dangerous escalation of the sustained campaign of war waged for years by the United States against that sister nation.”
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. captured Maduro, intensifying pressure on Venezuela.
- Rubio and Trump warned Cuba, citing its ties to Maduro.
- Cuba denounced the action as state terrorism and called for international condemnation.
The series of statements and reactions underscores a sharp shift in U.S.-Cuba relations following the Maduro capture.
