The Dominican Republic's government has mandated nine officials from the Cuban Embassy in Santo Domingo, along with their families, to exit the country by Sunday, August 16th.
This directive affects approximately 21 individuals, including the Cuban diplomats, their spouses, and children, according to the Dominican newspaper Listín Diario. As of now, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not publicly detailed the rationale behind this decision. The newspaper hinted that an official statement was anticipated to shed light on the motives behind the ultimatum.
The order comes amid a noticeable cooling of diplomatic relations between Santo Domingo and Havana. Over recent months, actions and statements from President Luis Abinader's administration have indicated a shift in attitude toward the Cuban regime.
In May of this year, President Abinader remarked that Cuba "obviously is not a democratic State." Later, in a United Nations vote regarding the U.S. embargo on Cuba, the Dominican Republic abstained, with the resolution against the sanctions receiving 136 votes in favor, nine against, and 30 abstentions.
Historical Context of Diplomatic Ties
The distancing signs began earlier. In October 2025, Santo Domingo excluded the Cuban regime, along with Nicaragua and Venezuela, from the X Summit of the Americas, initially set to take place in Punta Cana. Dominican authorities stated that the decision aimed to promote "the development of the forum." This event was subsequently postponed and rescheduled for 2026.
The departure of the nine officials and their families marks another chapter in a diplomatic relationship spanning over a century. Cuba and the Dominican Republic first established diplomatic ties in 1902, which were disrupted during Rafael Leónidas Trujillo's dictatorship amidst his clashes with Fidel Castro. The relations were permanently restored in 1998.
Previously, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs described these bilateral relations as "rooted in profound historical, cultural, and solidarity ties."
Regional Diplomatic Isolation
This decision by Santo Domingo occurs within a broader context of increasing diplomatic isolation for Havana across several regional countries during 2026.
In March, Ecuador expelled all Cuban diplomatic personnel from Quito, granting a 48-hour window for departure. In response, Havana closed its embassy in Ecuador's capital. That same month, Costa Rica shut down its diplomatic representation in Havana and requested the Cuban regime to withdraw its personnel from San José.
More recently, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the severing of diplomatic relations with both Cuba and Nicaragua as part of a plan that includes closing 14 embassies and 15 consulates.
In response to these incidents, the Cuban regime has labeled the measures as "arbitrary" and "unjustified," attributing them to pressure from the United States.
The Dominican Republic's decision holds particular significance as it extends beyond individual officials; it requires the families of the nine diplomats to also vacate Dominican territory within the specified timeframe.
As this article is being concluded, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to release the expected official statement, leaving the formal reasons behind President Luis Abinader's directive for the Cuban diplomats and their families' departure unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dominican-Cuban Diplomatic Relations
Why did the Dominican Republic expel Cuban diplomats?
The Dominican Republic ordered the expulsion of Cuban diplomats amid cooling relations and shifting attitudes toward the Cuban regime, although the official reasons have not yet been publicly disclosed.
How many people are affected by the Dominican Republic's decision?
The expulsion affects about 21 individuals, including nine Cuban diplomats and their families.
Have other countries taken similar actions against Cuba?
Yes, several countries, including Ecuador and Costa Rica, have recently severed or reduced diplomatic ties with Cuba, reflecting a trend of regional diplomatic isolation for Havana.