Trump Threatens Cuba With More Sanctions, 'Complete' Embargo

President Donald Trump said the U.S. will place the “highest-level sanctions” and a “complete embargo” on Cuba if it does not stop “military and other operations” in Venezuela. The announcement, made April 30, came hours after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a military uprising. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said earlier that Cuban troops were aiding Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to the Associated Press.

“If Cuban Troops and Militia do not immediately CEASE military and other operations for the purpose of causing death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela, a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions, will be placed on the island of Cuba,” Trump tweeted. “Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!”

Earlier on April 30, the Treasury Department released a statement saying it supports Venezuela’s “efforts … to restore democracy,” adding that it will provide “sanctions relief for individuals and entities aligned with the former Maduro regime” if they support Guaido’s bid. “The United States and our partners and allies stand ready to leverage the tools of the international financial community to help swiftly restart Venezuela’s economy,” it said.