Background on Key Figures and Their Relevance
Miguel Díaz-Canel: The current President of Cuba, succeeding Raúl Castro in 2018. As the head of state, Díaz-Canel plays a crucial role in shaping Cuba’s foreign policy and maintaining its alliances.
Delcy Rodríguez: The interim President of Venezuela, appointed by the National Assembly after Nicolás Maduro’s arrest in January 2023. Rodríguez, previously Venezuela’s vice president under Maduro, has been a key figure in maintaining the close relationship between Cuba and Venezuela.
Key Points from the Telephone Conversation
Telephone conversation: President Díaz-Canel of Cuba spoke with interim President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela, expressing Cuba’s support and solidarity with Venezuela.
- Solidarity: Díaz-Canel conveyed Cuba’s unwavering support and solidarity to Venezuela.
- Condemnation: He strongly condemned the U.S. military aggression and the “kidnapping” of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
- Strengthening Relations: Díaz-Canel emphasized the commitment to further bolster historical ties of brotherhood and cooperation between Cuba and Venezuela under Rodríguez’s leadership.
Context and Impact of the U.S. Military Operation
On January 3, the United States conducted a military operation in Caracas resulting in Maduro’s and his wife’s arrest, followed by their transfer to New York for alleged drug trafficking charges.
The operation, which involved 32 Cuban military personnel—some of whom were part of Maduro’s protection team—resulted in fatalities, highlighting the close collaboration between Cuba and Venezuela’s security forces.
Following the operation, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated threats against Cuba, declaring “NO MORE OIL OR MONEY FOR CUBA: ZERO!” and urging Havana to reach an unspecified agreement “before it’s too late.”
Historical Context of Cuba-Venezuela Relations
Cuba and Venezuela have maintained strong ties since the early 2000s, with a cooperation agreement signed during Hugo Chávez’s presidency (1999-2013), Maduro’s predecessor. This partnership has included oil-for-services exchanges, with Cuba providing medical professionals, sports trainers, and other specialists in exchange for Venezuelan oil.
The recent events underscore the importance of this alliance and the potential repercussions should it weaken, given Cuba’s heavy reliance on Venezuelan oil and the U.S.’s renewed pressure.
