Santo Domingo.– The diplomatic staff of Cuba began from the early hours of this Saturday to pack their belongings from the embassy located in the El Millón sector, in the National District, after the Dominican Government ordered the departure from the country of several representatives of that mission.
According to available information, at least nine Cuban diplomats must leave Dominican territory before the deadline established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX). The measure provides for a seven-day period to complete the departure, while the Cuban side maintains that 10 representatives were notified.
Throughout the day, dozens of boxes, appliances, furniture, and other belongings were observed being moved from the diplomatic headquarters into containers and moving trucks. Some of the officials also headed to residential buildings located in the vicinity of the embassy to collect other belongings.
The area remained under the surveillance of National Police officers while the moving process continued. The Cuban representatives avoided giving statements to the press and, upon noticing the presence of journalists, re-entered the embassy facilities.
MIREX has not publicly revealed the names or positions of the diplomats affected by the decision. The Cuban ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Ángel Arzuaga Reyes, also did not confirm whether he is among the officials who must leave the country. When asked by journalists about his status, he indicated that it is up to the Dominican Foreign Ministry to provide that information.
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According to reports from independent Cuban media, among the members of the diplomatic mission are Dimas Lima Orue, commercial counselor, and Luis Baró, minister counselor.
The Dominican government’s decision sparked a reaction from the Cuban Foreign Ministry, which rejected the measure and claimed that the Dominican Republic was yielding to alleged pressure from the United States. The Dominican government, for its part, has indicated that it will handle the process with due discretion in order to preserve diplomatic relations with Cuba.
The situation occurs in a regional context in which other Cuban diplomatic missions have faced modifications in their composition. In recent years, changes have been recorded in Cuba’s delegations in countries such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru.
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While the Dominican MIREX refers to nine diplomats, the Cuban government claims that 10 representatives were notified. Furthermore, information disseminated by local media indicates that the decision could be related to alleged espionage work attributed to members of the Cuban mission, although Dominican authorities have not publicly offered details regarding those allegations.
