Venezuela-Cuba 'Strategic Alliance' Fractures Following Maduro's Capture

Venezuela and Cuba's long-standing strategic relationship has sharply degraded following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, with analysts pointing to shifting regional alliances as Caracas navigates a post-Maduro transition. Havana, which had depended heavily on Venezuelan oil subsidies and political support, faces renewed isolation as Venezuela's interim government recalibrates its international partnerships under US-backed transition talks. The fracture underscores the broader regional realignment triggered by Maduro's removal from power.