By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Trump Moves to Cut Venezuelan Oil Flow to Cuba
United States President Donald Trump has declared that no more Venezuelan oil or financial resources will be allowed to flow to Cuba, intensifying pressure on the Communist-run island and escalating long-standing tensions between Washington and Havana.
Venezuela has traditionally been Cuba’s largest oil supplier. However, shipping data indicates that no oil cargoes have departed Venezuelan ports for Cuba since the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in early January, amid a strict American oil blockade on the OPEC member state.
At the same time, Caracas and Washington are reportedly advancing negotiations on a US$2 billion arrangement that would see up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil supplied to the United States. Proceeds from the deal would be deposited into U.S. Treasury-supervised accounts, marking a significant test of the evolving relationship between President Trump and interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded defiantly, rejecting Trump’s threat on social media and asserting that the United States has no moral authority to impose a deal on Cuba.
Jamaica PM Urges Caution on US Capture of Maduro
In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged caution amid growing calls for the government to take a definitive position on the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking at a church event, Holness stressed that his primary responsibility is safeguarding Jamaica’s national security. He described the current global climate as uncertain and warned against taking positions that could unnecessarily expose the country to risk.
“My job is to keep Jamaica safe… not to invite problems on ourselves when we have our own problems to deal with,” the prime minister said.
While Holness made no direct reference to the January 3 U.S. military operation that resulted in Maduro and his wife being seized in Venezuela and transported to New York, his remarks come amid heightened debate among regional leaders, international observers, and Jamaica’s opposition People’s National Party over sovereignty, international law, and Caribbean security.
Maduro has since pleaded not guilty in a U.S. court to drug trafficking charges.
Sudan War Reaches 1,000 Days as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Internationally, the conflict in Sudan has reached its 1,000th day, deepening what humanitarian agencies describe as the world’s worst health and humanitarian crisis.
More than 20 million people now require health assistance, while an estimated 21 million are facing severe food insecurity. Overall, approximately 33.7 million people are expected to need humanitarian aid this year.
The country’s health system has been devastated by nearly three years of continuous violence, mass displacement, shortages of medical supplies, limited access, and declining funding. Despite ongoing efforts by the World Health Organization and its partners, more than one-third of Sudan’s health facilities remain non-functional.
Since fighting erupted in April 2023, WHO has verified 201 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 1,858 deaths and 490 injuries. These attacks, which violate international humanitarian law, have severely undermined access to lifesaving care and placed healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers at grave risk.
Humanitarian agencies warn that without increased access, funding, and protection for civilians and health infrastructure, conditions in Sudan are likely to deteriorate further.
