--- title: "US offered Cuba oil for leader's exit and energy firm privatization" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-11T01:05:20.923Z" source_reported: "2026-09-11T00:00:04.000Z" updated: "2026-09-11T01:05:20.923Z" trust_score: 58 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 30 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-11T01:00:34.324293+00:00" --- # US offered Cuba oil for leader's exit and energy firm privatization *Secret Trump administration proposal collapsed due to Cuban resistance and Miami political pressure.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 58 of 100, higher is better. Trust 58: multiple outlets corroborate the offer, with named persons and Miami Herald attribution, but heavy hedging reduces score. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87: clear context, official quotes, specific names and dates, and a coherent narrative. - Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Hype 30: headline is mildly sensational, but article remains measured and factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The Trump administration proposed an energy deal to Cuba, offering oil and investment. - In return, the US sought the departure of President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the privatization of CUPET. - The proposal was presented to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former leader Raúl Castro. - The deal failed due to political pressure in Miami and resistance from Havana. The Trump administration explored a secret energy deal with Cuba that would have supplied oil and investment to the island. In exchange, the US sought the departure of President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the privatization of the state-owned energy company, Union Cuba-Petroleo (CUPET). The proposal was reportedly presented to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, who acted as an intermediary. The plan ultimately collapsed due to political pressure from Cuban-American communities in Miami and resistance from the Cuban government in Havana. Following the breakdown of these discussions, the Trump administration shifted its focus to imposing sanctions, targeting entities such as the military conglomerate GAESA and CUPET. ## Where the reports disagree TRT World reported that US officials met Rodríguez Castro in Saint Kitts and Nevis in February, citing the Miami Herald. Latin Times stated that CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana in May and met Cuban officials, including Rodríguez Castro, with the visit focusing on security and economic stability. The remaining reports do not specify the location or timing of meetings with Rodríguez Castro beyond stating he was an intermediary. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific figure of $8.1 billion in economic damage to Cuba during 2025, as stated by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and reported by Latin Times. ## Who covered it Shares of the 8 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 13% (1) - Centre: 24% (2) - Right: 63% (5) 14 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-11T01:00:34.324293+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-11T01:15:36.546Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Latin Times led on the offer of oil and US investment in exchange for political and economic concessions, highlighting the potential impact on Cuban civilians facing blackouts and food spoilage. The report detailed how the negotiations became entangled with the politically sensitive issue of negotiating with a Castro family member and the fears of Cuban Americans in Miami that any deal could rescue the communist government without securing democratic reforms. It noted that Havana's leadership ultimately decided to resist, viewing the conditions as a threat to national sovereignty. The outlet also mentioned the humanitarian effects of Cuba's energy crisis and the US embassy's health alert regarding failing water and electricity systems. ### Centre - TRT World and Hola News focused on the secret nature of the energy deal and its collapse over political demands. TRT World reported that the proposal would have provided Cuba with US oil in exchange for privatizing CUPET and gaining US investor control, and also sought the departure of President Miguel Díaz-Canel. The outlet noted that the deal was tied to a demand for Díaz-Canel's exit, whom Trump administration officials viewed as an "incompetent figurehead." TRT World also mentioned the context of Venezuela's oil supply ending and the Trump administration's subsequent declaration of a national emergency and threats of tariffs. Hola News, citing EFE and the Miami Herald, also reported the offer of oil and investment for Díaz-Canel's departure and CUPET's privatization, noting the plan was not realized due to Cuban reluctance and Miami political pressure. ### Right - El Debate, BioBioChile, abc, El Universo, and Anadolu Ajansı reported that the US proposed an oil agreement to the Castro regime in exchange for the overthrow of Díaz-Canel or his departure from power. El Debate stated an anonymous source revealed the information to the Miami Herald. BioBioChile and abc highlighted the offer of oil and investment in exchange for Díaz-Canel's departure and CUPET's privatization. El Universo reported that the plan did not materialize due to Cuba's reluctance and Miami political pressure. Anadolu Ajansı stated the secret deal collapsed over political demands, with the Trump administration offering oil supplies in exchange for changes to Cuba's energy sector and Díaz-Canel's departure. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 4 - unknown: 16 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [EL NACIONAL](https://elnacional.com/2026/09/estados-unidos-propuso-suministrar-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-dimision-de-diaz-canel-y-la-privatizacion-de-cupet-segun-el-miami-herald) — The United States Proposed to Supply Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel's Resignation and the Privatization of Cupet, According to the Miami Herald - [Gazeta Do Povo](https://gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/eua-ofereceram-petroleo-e-investimentos-a-cuba-em-troca-da-saida-de-diaz-canel-do-poder-diz-jornal) — U.S. Offered Cuba Oil for the Exit of Díaz-Canel - [focoinformativo.site](https://focoinformativo.site/eeuu-ofrece-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald) — The U.S. Offers Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel's Departure, According to the Miami Herald - Foco Informativa - [Correio da Manhã](https://cmjornal.pt/mundo/detalhe/eua-ofereceram-petroleo-a-cuba-em-troca-da-saida-do-presidente-diaz-canel) — US Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for President Díaz-Canel's Exit - [lanoticiasv.com](https://lanoticiasv.com/ee-uu-habria-ofrecido-petroleo-e-inversiones-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-salida-de-diaz-canel) — The US Would Have Offered Oil and Investments to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel's Departure - La Noticia SV - [ALnavío](https://alnavio.es/lo-que-le-habria-ofrecido-eeuu-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-diaz-canel) — What the U.S. Would Have Offered Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure - [El Debate](https://eldebate.com/internacional/20260911/estados-unidos-propuso-regimen-castrista-acuerdo-petrolero-cambio-derrocamiento-diazcanel_457610.html) — The United States Proposed to the Castro Regime an Oil Agreement in Exchange for the Overthrow of Díaz-Canel - [El Comercio](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/eeuu/cuba-estados-unidos-ofrecio-petroleo-a-la-habana-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-miguel-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald-cupet-ultimas-noticia) — The United States Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [N Digital](https://n.com.do/2026/09/10/estados-unidos-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald) — The United States Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [El Carabobeño](https://el-carabobeno.com/eeuu-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald) — The U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [BioBioChile](https://biobiochile.cl/noticias/internacional/america-latina/2026/09/10/informe-asegura-que-eeuu-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-del-presidente-diaz-canel.shtml) — Report States that the U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for President Díaz Canel's Departure - [Aristegui Noticias](https://aristeguinoticias.com/1009/mundo/ee-uu-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-por-salida-de-diaz-canel-segun-miami-herald) — U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba Out of Díaz-Canel, According to Miami Herald · Global Voices - [Felix Victorino](https://fvdigital.do/eeuu-ofrecio-petroleo-cuba-cambio-salida-diazcanel-20260910222908-nt-html) — #World: The U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel's Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [diariodecuba.com](https://diariodecuba.com/cuba/1789074337_68864.html) — 'Miami Herald': an Agreement Between Washington and Havana Would Have Failed in Early 2026 - [TRT World](https://trtworld.com/article/81d47f96d1e0) — Secret US-Cuba energy deal reportedly collapsed over political demands - [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/cuba/miguel-diaz-canel/eua-ofereceram-petroleo-a-cuba-em-troca-da-saida-de-diaz-canel-segundo-o-miami-herald/20260910/6aa31237d34e9a786e75786b) — US Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel's Exit, According to Miami Herald - [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/actualidad/estados-unidos-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-miguel-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald-noticia-1706721) — The United States Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Miguel Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [abc](https://abc.es/internacional/eeuu-ofrecio-petroleo-cuba-cambio-salida-diazcanel-20260910222908-nt.html) — The U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [El Universo](https://eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/trump-habria-ofrecido-petroleo-e-inversiones-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-miguel-diaz-canel-nota) — Trump Would Have Offered Oil and Investment to Cuba in Exchange for Miguel Díaz-Canel’s Departure - [Hola News](https://holanews.com/eeuu-ofrecio-petroleo-a-cuba-a-cambio-de-la-salida-de-diaz-canel-segun-el-miami-herald) — The U.S. Offered Oil to Cuba in Exchange for Díaz-Canel’s Departure, According to the Miami Herald - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/americas/secret-us-cuba-energy-deal-collapsed-over-political-demands/4053553) — Secret US-Cuba Energy Deal Collapsed over Political Demands - [Latin Times](https://latintimes.com/trump-offered-cuba-oil-us-investment-miami-politics-sank-deal-report-599145) — Trump Offered Cuba Oil and U.S. Investment, but Miami Politics Sank the Deal ## Questions **What did the US offer Cuba in the secret energy deal?** The Trump administration offered Cuba oil supplies and the possibility of US investment in its energy sector. This was intended to help modernize the island's deteriorating infrastructure and address its energy crisis. **What did the US want in return for the oil and investment?** The US sought significant political and economic concessions from the Cuban government. These included the departure of President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the privatization of the state-owned energy company, CUPET. **Why did the proposed deal collapse?** The deal collapsed due to a combination of factors. Havana's leadership ultimately decided to resist the conditions, viewing them as a threat to national sovereignty. Additionally, there was significant political pressure from influential Cuban Americans in Miami. **Who was the intermediary for the negotiations?** The proposal was reportedly presented to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, who acted as an intermediary between Havana and senior officials in the Trump administration. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US offered Cuba oil for leader's exit and energy firm privatization", https://mediabias.news/politics/us-offered-cuba-oil-for-leaders-exit-and-energy-firm-privatization