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President Donald Trump late Sunday predicted Cuba was “able to fall” after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro, warning that Havana can now not depend on Caracas for safety and oil.
Trump mentioned Cuba’s destiny is now immediately tied to Maduro’s ouster and the collapse of Venezuela’s means to bankroll allies within the area.
Requested if he was contemplating U.S. motion in Cuba, Trump replied: “I believe it’s simply going to fall. I don’t assume we want any motion. Appears to be like prefer it’s taking place. It’s taking place for the depend.”
The president’s feedback throughout a press gaggle with reporters aboard Air Power One come after Saturday’s capture of Maduro and his wife on prices tied to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. The audacious operation has despatched shockwaves via allied governments within the area, with Cuban officers calling for rallies in assist of Venezuela and accusing the U.S. of violating sovereignty.
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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters whereas in flight on Air Power One, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, as returning to Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photograph/Alex Brandon)
U.S. officers say Cuban safety forces performed a central function in protecting Maduro in energy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned Cuban operatives successfully ran Venezuela’s inside intelligence and safety operations – together with personally guarding Maduro and monitoring loyalty inside his authorities.
Protestors rally exterior the White Home, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse in a army operation. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photograph)
“It was Cubans that guarded Maduro,” Rubio mentioned. “He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards.”
Cuba’s authorities acknowledged Sunday that 32 Cuban army and law enforcement officials have been killed throughout the American operation in Venezuela, marking the primary official dying toll launched by Havana. Cuban state media mentioned the officers had been deployed on the request of Caracas and introduced two days of nationwide mourning.
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Trump confirmed Cuban casualties whereas touring again to Washington.
“A number of Cubans have been killed yesterday,” he mentioned. “There was a whole lot of dying on the opposite facet. No dying on our facet.”
Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores face ‘worst case state of affairs’ in U.S. custody, in response to skilled, with federal indictments on drug and weapons prices. ( Juan BARRETO / AFP through Getty Photos)
Trump additionally took purpose at neighboring Colombia, accusing its management of fueling drug trafficking into the U.S.
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“Colombia could be very sick, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and promoting it to america,” Trump mentioned, including that the nation, “is just not going to be doing it for a really very long time.”
President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro speaks throughout a army ceremony commemorating the 2 hundredth anniversary of the presentation of the ‘Sword of Peru’ to Venezuelan independence hero Simón Bolívar on November 25, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Photos)
He steered the U.S. was ready to behave towards narco-trafficking networks working by land and sea, citing latest interdictions.
Trump additionally revived his long-standing give attention to Greenland, arguing the Arctic territory is crucial to U.S. safety amid rising Russian and Chinese language exercise.
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“We want Greenland from the standpoint of nationwide safety,” Trump mentioned. “Greenland is roofed with Russian and Chinese language ships in every single place.”
Trump has framed Saturday’s operation as a part of a broader effort to reassert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, invoking the Monroe Doctrine and warning that hostile regimes can now not depend on each other for survival.
Maduro is about to be arraigned in federal courtroom in New York on Monday.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
