The Ecuadorian government has made a radical decision to declare the Cuban ambassador persona non grata. The diplomatic mission in Quito has been given 48 hours to leave the country's territory. Simultaneously, Ecuador decided to withdraw its own representative from Havana. Experts point to growing pressure from Washington as the likely reason for the sudden cooling of relations between the two Latin American countries.
Expulsion of the Cuban Ambassador
The Cuban ambassador in Quito has been declared persona non grata and must leave Ecuador.
Time Ultimatum
The entire diplomatic staff of the Cuban mission was given 48 hours to leave the country.
Withdrawal of Ecuador's Representative
Ecuador decided to withdraw its own representative from Havana, limiting relations with Cuba.
Possible US Influence
Analysts suggest the decision is a result of diplomatic pressure from Washington.
Authorities in Quito announced an unprecedented decision to expel the entire Cuban diplomatic mission, marking the culmination of escalating tension in the region. The Cuban ambassador was officially declared a persona non grata, and the government of Ecuador's president gave Cuban officials a mere 48-hour deadline to leave the country. This change is interpreted as a clear signal of Quito's alignment with the foreign policy of the United States, which has maintained an embargo against the island for decades. Ecuador's actions are not limited to expelling Cuban personnel. The government also took a symmetrical step by withdrawing its own diplomatic representative from Havana, effectively paralyzing official communication channels between the two states. While official Foreign Ministry statements are sparing with words, Spanish-language media and international press agencies, such as Reuters, emphasize the geopolitical context. It is suggested that Ecuador is joining Washington's strategy aimed at isolating the Havana government on the international stage. This represents a significant volte-face in Ecuador's foreign policy, which historically maintained correct, and at times close, relations with Cuba. Diplomatic relations between Latin American countries and Cuba have fluctuated numerous times since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, often becoming a field of rivalry for US and USSR influence during the Cold War. The sudden escalation of the conflict surprised some observers, as Ecuador has traditionally sought to balance its regional relations. The decision to remove an entire diplomatic mission is one of the sharpest tools in diplomatic protocol and typically precedes a complete severance of relations or is a reaction to a serious espionage or political incident. At this moment, no detailed charges against specific embassy staff members have been provided, strengthening the thesis of a political basis for this decision. The situation remains fluid, and the international community awaits an official response from the Cuban government, which typically applies the principle of reciprocity in such cases. „Ecuador declara personas 'non gratas' al embajador de Cuba en Quito y a todo el personal diplomático cubano.” (Ecuador declares the Cuban ambassador in Quito and all Cuban diplomatic personnel 'persona non grata'.) — Ecuadorian government statement