Santo Domingo, DR.– The secretary general of the United Left Movement (MIU), Miguel Mejía, expressed his concern regarding the Dominican Government’s decision to request the departure of several officials from the Cuban Embassy from the country and demanded that the authorities publicly explain the reasons that motivated the measure.
During an interview on the program “El Despertador”, Mejía acknowledged that the Dominican Republic has the sovereign authority to make decisions regarding foreign diplomatic representatives, but considered it necessary to know the circumstances that led the Government to request the departure of the Cuban officials.
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The political leader maintained that the decision must be analyzed within the current geopolitical scenario and the relationship of the Dominican Republic with the United States. In his view, the government of President Luis Abinader maintains a foreign policy that is increasingly close to Washington.
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Mejía stated that the lack of official explanations generates speculation about the reasons for the measure and makes it difficult to determine if the Cuban diplomats engaged in any actions that would justify their departure.
However, the MIU secretary general was cautious when referring to versions that have circulated about alleged espionage. He pointed out that there is no publicly known evidence to support that accusation and considered it necessary to avoid statements that are not backed by evidence.
Mejía speaks of a “sovereignty crisis”
The leftist leader was critical of Dominican foreign policy and accused the Abinader administration of maintaining a position subordinate to U.S. interests.
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Mejía described this situation as a “sovereignty crisis” and questioned that, in his assessment, the United States Embassy has participation or influence in the internal affairs of the Dominican Republic without the national authorities reacting in the same way.
In that context, he interpreted the departure of the Cuban officials as part of a broader regional scenario in which the United States seeks to strengthen its political influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The leader mentioned the political events recorded in countries such as Honduras, Colombia, and Brazil to explain what he considers a strategy of greater U.S. presence in the region.
However, Mejía did not consider that the decision against the Cuban officials necessarily implies a rupture of diplomatic relations between Santo Domingo and Havana.
Does not foresee a break in relations
The MIU secretary general explained that there are elements indicating that diplomatic channels between both countries remain open.
Among them, it was noted that the Cuban ambassador remains in the Dominican Republic, while other officials considered important to the diplomatic mission would also continue in Dominican territory. Likewise, the Dominican Republic maintains its diplomatic representation in Cuba.
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Based on those elements, Mejía considered a “downgrade” in bilateral relations more likely than a complete rupture.
The leader called on the authorities of both countries to keep communication channels open and defended the need for a “peace diplomacy” in the face of the tensions affecting the region.
Remember historical ties with Cuba
Mejía also highlighted the historical, cultural, and diplomatic ties that have united the Dominican Republic and Cuba for decades.
He also recalled his participation in the process that led to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries in the 1990s, after a long period of interruption.
Diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and Cuba were formally re-established in 1998, after years of estrangement. Since then, both countries have maintained ties in areas such as cooperation, consular affairs, migration, and trade relations.
Mejía’s statements come at a time of expectation for the official explanations that the Dominican government may offer regarding the departure of the Cuban officials.
So far, the measure has generated different reactions in the national political sphere, while the debate continues regarding the reasons that led the Dominican authorities to make the decision and its possible consequences for relations between the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
