Cuba May Target Maduro Amid US Military Actions in Venezuela

HAVANA, Cuba — A report by Axios suggests that Cuba may consider assassinating Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro if he attempts to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump. The implications stem from escalating tensions as the U.S. builds military presence in the region, purportedly to combat drug trafficking.

The Axios report, based on unnamed intelligence sources, indicates Cuba could view Maduro’s potential cooperation with Trump as a threat to its interests. For decades, Venezuela has supplied oil to Cuba, crucial for the island’s economy, making this relationship critical for the survival of the Cuban regime.

While there is no confirmed intelligence that Cuba has threatened Maduro, the report highlights concerns within the Trump administration regarding Maduro’s reluctance to step down voluntarily. U.S. officials have stated, “Part of the challenge of persuading Maduro to leave is that his Cuban handlers might execute him if he yields to American pressure and quits.”

Cuba has benefitted from subsidies of 53 million barrels of oil annually from Venezuela, valued at approximately $4 billion. This agreement has helped maintain the Cuban economy, especially during past financial crises. The relationship began under former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez and has continued to shape the political landscape in both countries.

As the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against Maduro, it recently designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, blaming them for drug trafficking. This designation could offer the U.S. new options to pressure the Maduro regime.

General Dan Caine, the U.S. military’s top officer, is currently visiting Puerto Rico as military operations against alleged drug smuggling in the region escalate. His presence reflects the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking, which has led to multiple strikes against boats linked to these activities.

Despite these assertions of military readiness, sources close to Trump noted that immediate plans to directly confront Maduro have not been finalized. As tensions rise, 13 Democratic senators have called for clarity on the legal framework surrounding recent military actions.

The relationship between Cuba and Venezuela remains complicated, with each nation relying on the other for economic and political support. The possibility of political change in Venezuela poses a risk to both regimes’ stability and the longstanding alliances forged over two decades.

Maduro, who has faced criticism and resistance since 2013, has repeatedly expressed a willingness for dialogue, even as he faces pressures from both domestic opposition and U.S. military strategy.