President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to the government of Cuba, saying the Caribbean island must negotiate with the United States “before it is too late” after Cuba’s long-standing source of Venezuelan oil and money was cut off amid Washington’s takeover of Venezuelan oil supplies following Nicolás Maduro’s ouster.

Trump took to social media to declare that Cuba, which has historically depended on Venezuelan support, will receive “no more oil or money … ZERO!”, and urged Havana to seek a deal with Washington.

The move comes as U.S. forces continue to seize tankers in the Caribbean in an effort to control Venezuela’s oil production, refining and distribution, reshaping energy flows in the region.

Hours after Trump’s post, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on social media, accusing the United States of lacking moral authority to criticise Cuba and defending his country’s record.

The Cuban government also said that 32 of its military personnel were killed in the U.S. operation that led to Maduro’s capture; the troops were in Caracas under a longstanding agreement between Havana and Caracas.

Trump described the end of Venezuelan support as part of a broader shift in the region, asserting that Venezuela no longer needs protection from past leaders and that the United States — “the most powerful military in the world” — will now safeguard its interests.

Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and policy escalation reflect growing U.S. pressure on Cuba, which has faced decades of U.S. sanctions and is grappling with severe economic shortages, including long power blackouts and supply disruptions.