‘Venezuela helped us a lot’: US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro stirs anxiety in Cuba
The Guardian••world
Key Points:
- The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces has caused concern and debate in Cuba, with Cuban officials condemning the action as an illegal act of state terrorism and a violation of sovereignty.
- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed strong solidarity with Venezuela, emphasizing Cuba’s willingness to support Maduro and criticizing US intervention, while recalling past US attempts to destabilize Cuba.
- The US capture of Maduro threatens Cuba’s access to subsidized Venezuelan oil, which is vital for Cuba’s struggling electrical system, already plagued by frequent blackouts and fuel shortages.
- US officials, including former President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, commented on Cuba’s deteriorating situation, with Trump denying plans for military action but highlighting Cuba’s failures and Rubio warning
