The Cuban ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Ángel Arzuaga Reyes, has downplayed the Dominican government's decision to request the withdrawal of nine Cuban diplomats from Santo Domingo. He framed the situation as another test of the island's resilience.
On August 13, the same day the crisis erupted, Arzuaga spoke at a cultural gala at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) marking the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth. His speech took on a combative tone, ignoring the gravity of the diplomatic action.
"The tougher the circumstances, the stronger our unity. The tougher the circumstances, the harder we fight. The tougher the circumstances, the more we stand at the forefront defending peace, unity, friendship, and internationalism among the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world," Arzuaga declared to the university audience.
During the same event, Arzuaga referred to an "energy blockade" against Cuba dating back to January 29, 2026, the U.S. embargo, and an alleged "imminent military threat" against the Cuban people, echoing the usual rhetoric of the Havana regime while avoiding direct mention of the expulsions.
The Dominican foreign ministry had formally notified the Cuban embassy that nine of its diplomats and their families—21 people in total—were to leave the country within seven days, by August 16.
This decision was justified under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which allows a country to request the withdrawal of a diplomat without public explanation.
However, alleged intelligence activities conducted by the Cuban state under diplomatic cover are believed to have been the real reason for the decision. The affected individuals were not formally declared persona non grata; the Dominican government acted through diplomatic channels.
The Cuban regime, through Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, vehemently rejected the measure, attributing it to pressure from Washington on President Luis Abinader's government, while denying any misconduct by its diplomats.
Abinader's stance towards Havana had been hardening for months. In May 2026, he publicly stated that Cuba "is not a democratic state" and that the regime needed to "make a change."
Dominican sources dismissed any connection between the expulsions and the four Cuban athletes who remained in the country following the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026, calling the timing "merely coincidental."
Despite the crisis, the Cuban embassy will continue to operate in Santo Domingo with its remaining accredited personnel, and the measure does not signal a break in diplomatic relations between the two nations, Dominican diplomatic sources confirmed.
U.S. Congressman Carlos Giménez lauded the expulsions on social media, declaring, "Cuba's freedom is non-negotiable," and thanked the Dominican government for "standing firmly on the right side of history."
Key Questions About the Diplomats' Expulsion in the Dominican Republic
Why were nine Cuban diplomats expelled from the Dominican Republic?
The expulsion of nine Cuban diplomats was reportedly due to alleged intelligence activities conducted under diplomatic cover, although no public explanation was provided by the Dominican government.
What was the Cuban government's response to the expulsion?
The Cuban government, through Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, strongly rejected the expulsion, attributing it to pressures from the United States and denying any wrongdoing by its diplomats.
Does this incident affect diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Dominican Republic?
Despite the expulsions, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Dominican Republic remain intact, as confirmed by Dominican diplomatic sources.
How did the U.S. react to the expulsion of Cuban diplomats?
U.S. Congressman Carlos Giménez praised the Dominican Republic's decision to expel the Cuban diplomats, expressing gratitude for their firm stance against the Cuban regime.