Cuban leaders vow to defend sovereignty and demand Maduro's release

Recently, tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have escalated sharply. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly threatened to completely cut off Cuba's oil supply and urged the Cuban government to "reach an agreement as soon as possible." In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez strongly rebutted the threats, vowing to defend national sovereignty while simultaneously demanding that the United States cease the illegal detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump's 'ultimatum' to Cuba

On January 11, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Cuba on his social media platform. He declared that "there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba – zero!" and strongly suggested that the Cuban government "make a deal, before it is too late." Trump claimed that Cuba had long survived on subsidized oil from Venezuela in exchange for providing "security services" to its leaders, an arrangement he stated is now over following the U.S. military operation that toppled and captured Maduro a week ago. The attack reportedly resulted in dozens of casualties among Maduro's security detail, many of whom were Cuban.

Cuban president refutes accusations, vows to defend the homeland

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Sunday said Cuba is a free, independent and sovereign nation, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's accusations that the island country provided "security services" to Venezuela in exchange for oil.

Diaz-Canel said on X that the United States has "no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in anything," adding that the U.S. side turns everything, even human lives, into a business.

The president said that the United States is "hysterical" against the Caribbean nation because of the sovereign decision of the Cuban people to choose their political model.

"Those who blame the Revolution for the severe economic hardships we suffer should be ashamed and keep quiet," he said. "Because they know and recognize that they are the result of the draconian measures of extreme asphyxiation that the United States has imposed on us for six decades."

Cuba does not attack or threaten other countries, said Diaz-Canel, adding that the country is ready to defend itself "to the last drop of blood."

Cuban Foreign Minister demands U.S. stop detaining Maduro illegally

On the same day, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded that the United States stop illegally detaining Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

"It has been eight days since the brutal kidnapping of the legitimate president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, and his wife Cilia Flores," said Rodriguez on X.

"We demand that the U.S. government put an end to this illegal detention, respect his immunity, stop the judicial and media farce that this trial has turned into and ensure his life and care," he added.

"We call on the international community to join this just demand, to preserve international law, as well as the life, justice and rights of President Maduro and his wife," said the diplomat.

(With input from agencies.)