On Monday, Cuban-American representatives from Florida—Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez—publicly applauded President Donald Trump for his latest policy decision. Trump declared a 25% tariff on nations purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, a move announced on the social media platform Truth Social. This decision was framed as a direct counter to Nicolás Maduro's regime, which Trump accused of deliberately and deceptively sending thousands of criminals to the United States, including alleged members of the group known as Tren de Aragua, already labeled a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" by his administration.
Reactions from these Cuban-American lawmakers quickly emerged on social media platform X. Mario Díaz-Balart emphasized that the president had upheld a crucial promise. "Promises made, promises kept. Thank you for confronting anti-American adversaries like the Maduro dictatorship, a genuine threat to our national security. Finally, we have a leader in the White House who treats enemies as they are and holds accountable those who enrich our adversaries with lucrative oil deals."
Meanwhile, María Elvira Salazar expressed her satisfaction: "Great news! It’s reassuring to finally have a president who stands up to these murderous and oppressive dictators. If you mess with the United States, you will pay the price!"
Carlos Giménez added: "Thank you, Mr. President! Anyone doing business with the murderous dictator Nicolás Maduro will face severe consequences. To solve Venezuela's problems, we must extinguish the illegitimate regime that has devastated the country."
This policy move is seen as a direct blow not only to the Chavista government but also to countries that have resumed trade relations with Venezuela, especially in the energy sector, despite U.S. sanctions. Moreover, there is speculation that the U.S. administration aims to retaliate over the deportation issue.
Since Trump’s return to the political scene with an eye on the 2024 elections, his stance on Latin America—particularly regarding Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua—has toughened, receiving approval from exile communities and conservative figures within the Republican Party.
Cuban-American Lawmakers and U.S.-Venezuela Relations
Why did Trump impose a tariff on Venezuelan oil?
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Venezuelan oil to counter Nicolás Maduro's regime, which he accused of sending criminals to the U.S. This move also aims to discourage countries from trading with Venezuela's government.
What are the implications of Trump's decision for the Venezuelan government?
The decision is viewed as a direct challenge to the Venezuelan government, potentially affecting its trade relations and economic stability, particularly in the energy sector.
How have Cuban-American lawmakers responded to Trump's announcement?
Cuban-American lawmakers have praised Trump's announcement, expressing gratitude for his stance against Maduro and emphasizing the importance of holding adversaries accountable.