In a fiery response, former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has vehemently criticized President Daniel Noboa's government following their decision to declare Cuban ambassador Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez García "persona non grata." This move, which also extends to all diplomatic, consular, and administrative staff of the Cuban mission in Ecuador, has sparked significant controversy.
Correa expressed his outrage, labeling the decision a disgrace and initially believing it to be a "joke." He took to social media platform X to voice his disdain, accusing Noboa of being surrounded by "sycophants trying to earn favor."
In a scathing post, Correa accused President Noboa of not only dismantling Ecuador but also impacting the larger Latin American community, referred to as "la Patria Grande." He further commented, "When I heard it, I thought it was a joke," attributing the decision to what he sees as a mistake by voters in electing Noboa.
Additionally, Correa shared a cartoon depicting a cat next to a manual titled, "How to Keep Defending Noboa Without Looking Like an Idiot," underscoring his disdain.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the "non grata" declaration, giving the Cuban ambassador and his staff 48 hours to leave the country. The official document does not specify the reasons for the expulsion, only referencing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
In a related move, Noboa's administration terminated the duties of José María Borja López as Ecuador's ambassador to Cuba, a position he had held since 2021. The announcement offered no further official explanation for these actions, nor did it include any public response from the Cuban government.
Understanding the Diplomatic Tensions Between Ecuador and Cuba
What prompted Ecuador to expel the Cuban ambassador and his staff?
The Ecuadorian government declared the Cuban ambassador and his staff "persona non grata" but did not provide specific reasons, simply citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
How did Rafael Correa react to the expulsion of Cuban diplomats?
Rafael Correa criticized the decision harshly, describing it as a disgrace and expressing disbelief, initially thinking it was a joke. He accused President Noboa of causing harm to Ecuador and the broader Latin American community.
What was the response from the Cuban government regarding the expulsion?
The article does not mention any public response from the Cuban government regarding the expulsion of their diplomatic staff from Ecuador.