Cuba, reliant on Venezuelan oil and support, faces uncertain future after U.S. removes Maduro
There are questions surrounding how the Cuban economy will fare after U.S. interference with its closest ally, Venezuela. The fragile Cuban economy has been supported by Venezuelan petroleum for years, forming a relationship between the two countries that went even deeper than economics. It is said that Cuban security agents and soldiers were part of President Maduro's security force prior to his removal by the United States. Prior to the interruption, Venezuela was sending an average of 35,000 barrels of oil to Cuba daily, consisting of 1/4 of total demand.
President Trump has publically predicted that the Cuban economy will suffer from the loss of Venezuela, and expressed that such events would benefit the U.S. goal of threatening the Cuban government. Although the effect on the Cuban governent remains to be seen, it is certain that everyday Cubans will be affected by increased blackouts and declining access to food. Some have speculated that Russia may step in to supplement the Cuban economy and oil supply, but doubts have arisen due to thier ongoing conflict in Urkaine.
I wonder how tensions with other countries, not just Cuba, will be affected by the United States' involvement in Venezuela. This raises a larger question about whether the U.S. will continue to intervene in other countries in the future if the removal of Maduro is successful in the long run.
ReplyDeleteThis article really shows that the impact on everyday Cubans could be severe. It shows us how geopolitics and global strategy have a real cost on humans that get overlooked in headlines.
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