Video: Trump labels Cuba ‘failed nation’ without jet fuel, pushes for deal amid crippling US embargo
United States President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
United States President Donald Trump has criticized Cuba as a “failed nation” on Tuesday, highlighting its severe fuel shortages that have grounded airplanes and plugged runways, while signalling active negotiations for a potential humanitarian deal.
In a video clip, Trump stated, “Cuba is right now a failed nation, and they don’t even have jet fuel to get for airplanes to take off. They’re plugging up their runway.
“We’re talking to Cuba right now, and Marco Rubio is talking to Cuba right now, and they should absolutely make a deal, because it’s really a humanitarian threat.”
The comments come amid an intensified U.S. oil embargo, reinstated and expanded during Trump’s second term.
This policy has compounded Cuba’s woes following the 2025 collapse of Venezuela’s regime, which cut off key oil subsidies to Havana.
