The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, has launched a scathing attack on Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, accusing him of "brazen lies" following the decision to expel Cuba's ambassador to Quito along with the rest of the island's diplomatic staff.
Rodríguez took to the social media platform X to respond after Noboa justified the expulsion by alleging that Cuban diplomats were involved in political and violent activities within Ecuador.
"The President of Ecuador is notorious for disregarding and violating International Law, especially the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," the Cuban foreign minister stated.
The minister also brought up the 2024 assault on the Mexican embassy in Quito, an incident that drew significant international criticism, claiming it demonstrated the Ecuadorian government's disdain for diplomatic norms.
"Now he lies brazenly, concocting excuses about the actions of Cuban diplomatic personnel in that nation, and boasts about having expelled them," Rodríguez added.
The Cuban official further accused Noboa of exhibiting "obvious subservience" to the United States.
These remarks from Rodríguez arose after Noboa announced in a press conference that there was "significant interference from Cuba in political activities, dissident activities, and in some cases, even violent acts."
The Ecuadorian leader asserted that the decision to declare the Cuban ambassador and the rest of the diplomatic mission as persona non grata was made after obtaining "sufficient evidence."
According to Noboa, following the expulsion notice, Cuban diplomats began destroying documents on the rooftop of their diplomatic mission.
The move was formalized through a statement from Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also ended the tenure of the Ecuadorian ambassador in Havana, marking another episode of diplomatic friction between the two governments.
Insight into the Ecuador-Cuba Diplomatic Dispute
Why did Ecuador expel the Cuban ambassador?
Ecuador expelled the Cuban ambassador citing alleged interference by Cuban diplomats in political and violent activities within the country.
How did the Cuban Foreign Minister respond?
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa of lying and violating international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
What is the significance of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations?
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is a treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries, ensuring the protection and immunity of diplomats.