ALERT: Trump recognizes the Delcy Government in Venezuela and assures that Cuba is “in its last moments of life”

In a major diplomatic shift, Trump formally acknowledges Venezuela’s new leadership while anticipating significant change in Cuba.

In a groundbreaking announcement on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that his administration has officially recognized the government of Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela. The move marks a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy towards the South American nation, which has long been a flashpoint in regional politics. Trump also expressed confidence that Cuba was nearing “its last moments of life,” predicting a major transformation for the island.

A New Era for Venezuela

Speaking during a summit with conservative leaders, Trump outlined the U.S. government’s recognition of Rodríguez’s leadership, noting that Washington had legally formalized the move. “I am pleased to say that this week, we have formally recognized the Venezuelan Government. In fact, we have legally recognized it,” Trump said.

This decision follows a historic agreement reached on Thursday between the U.S. and Venezuela, leading to the re-establishment of diplomatic and consular relations between the two countries. The Venezuelan government, led by Rodríguez, issued a statement confirming its willingness to enter a “new stage of constructive dialogue,” emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.

The formal recognition ends years of U.S. backing for opposition figures, particularly Juan Guaidó, who was recognized as interim president after the collapse of Venezuela’s political institutions in 2019. Trump also highlighted the Treasury Department’s recent issuance of a license permitting U.S. companies to engage in Venezuelan gold mining—a sector that had been previously subject to harsh sanctions.

“We are achieving a historic transformation in Venezuela,” – Donald Trump

Cuba in the Crosshairs

Despite the ongoing focus on tensions with Iran, Trump made it clear that Cuba was also a major priority for his administration. Trump stated that he and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, were in active negotiations with the Cuban government, adding that a breakthrough with Cuba seemed “very easy.” He emphasized his long-standing engagement with Cuba, stating, “For 50 years, I have been hearing about Cuba; since I was a little child I heard about Cuba.”

Cuba, under its long-standing communist government, has been grappling with severe economic hardship, including prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and food supply crises. Trump’s administration has sought to intensify the pressure on Cuba through economic sanctions, blocking oil shipments, and diplomatic isolation. The U.S. strategy appears to be aimed at suffocating the Cuban government by undermining its economic foundations, in hopes of precipitating political change.

Trump Meets with Opposition Leader María Corina Machado

In a related development, Trump held a private meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House. This was their second meeting, following a similar encounter in January. According to Caracol Radio, the meeting focused on the possibility of calling for new elections in Venezuela—a crucial step for Machado, who has spent years as a vocal critic of Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Machado, who has been in hiding to avoid arrest by Venezuelan authorities, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year in recognition of her efforts to bring democracy to Venezuela. She met with Trump to discuss plans for a peaceful transition of power and the prospects for free and fair elections in the country. Following the meeting, Machado said she would return to Venezuela in the coming weeks to continue her push for a democratic transition.

Her remarks came just weeks after the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were arrested on drug trafficking charges and transferred to New York. Since then, Trump has built a close relationship with Rodríguez’s government, particularly as she has agreed to American demands, including the opening of Venezuela’s oil sector to U.S. companies.

Machado, who fled Venezuela in December, plans to return soon to oversee the transition. “I will return to Venezuela in a few weeks to guarantee an orderly, sustainable, and unstoppable transition to democracy,” she said, stressing that Venezuela’s democratic future would be secured by a “new and gigantic electoral victory.”

The most recent presidential election in Venezuela, held in July 2024, saw Maduro declared the winner for a third term amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud.

As the situation unfolds, the Trump administration appears poised to further shape the region’s political future through direct support for Rodríguez’s government and continued pressure on Cuba.