President vows to cut off Cuba's oil supply

Says communist-run island 'ready to fall'

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United States President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a meeting with executives of the oil industry at the White House in Washington, DC, on Friday. Mr Trump claims the US now controls Venezuela, through a US naval blockade of its vital oil sector.

(REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump urged Cuba on Sunday to “make a deal” soon, pledging to cut off all oil and money flowing to the communist-run island after the toppling of Havana's key ally, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

The threatening social media post drew an angry retort from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who said “no one” would tell his country what to do.

Washington has imposed economy-crippling sanctions on its island neighbour for decades, but Mr Trump has ramped up the pressure in recent days.

US special forces seized Mr Maduro and his wife this month in a lightning raid that left dozens of the ousted Venezuelan president's security personnel dead — many of whom were Cuban.

Though Mr Maduro’s allies have become interim leaders, Mr Trump has claimed the US now actually controls Venezuela, through a US naval blockade of its vital oil sector.

“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!” Mr Trump said on Sunday morning on Truth Social. “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”