Trump Declares National Emergency in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency concerning an alleged threat to national security that he claims originates from Cuba.

“I, Donald Trump, President of the United States, recognize that the situation related to Cuba poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States… and hereby declare a national emergency to deal with this threat,” reads the text of Trump's executive order published by the White House.

In his order, Trump asserts that the Cuban government is taking actions that are harmful and pose a threat to the United States. He points out that Havana collaborates with a number of countries and international terrorist groups that are hostile towards the U.S., including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

Trump's order comes amid repeated claims that Cuba is very close to collapse following a disruption in oil supplies from Venezuela. He also indicated that Venezuelan oil will no longer be supplied to Cuba and threatened to take action against countries that continue to supply fuel to the island.