Overview
- President Trump said the U.S. is talking to “the highest people” in Cuba and predicted a deal, while Havana acknowledged message exchanges but said there is no formal dialogue.
- An executive order signed Jan. 29 declared a national emergency regarding Cuba and authorized tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island.
- With Venezuelan deliveries largely halted after Nicolás Maduro’s capture, analysts say Cuba has only weeks of fuel left and faces worsening power cuts.
- Russia denounced efforts to block energy supplies to Cuba and pledged political and material support, according to its Foreign Ministry.
- Mexico announced plans to send food and other aid and said it is working on a diplomatic solution to continue oil shipments, as U.S. diplomats on the island reported both cordial meetings and confrontations.