Political leaders blame U.S. pressure for Dominican Republic’s expulsion of Cuban diplomats

Santo Domingo.- Several Dominican political leaders criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ decision to order nine Cuban Embassy officials to leave the country, attributing the measure to alleged pressure from the United States.

Although the Dominican government said it would not disclose the reasons for the decision in order to preserve diplomatic relations with Cuba, opposition figures argued that Washington’s influence was evident.

Alianza País president Guillermo Moreno said the move was clearly linked to U.S. policy toward Cuba and questioned the timing of the announcement, which coincided with the centenary of the birth of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Moreno also criticized the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, describing its impact on access to medicine, food and other essential goods as severe, and said he was “ashamed” of what he considers Dominican support for Washington’s policy.

Former congresswoman Minou Tavárez Mirabal expressed concern over what she described as a “vassal” foreign policy, while Broad Front leader María Teresa Cabrera called the decision arbitrary and criticized the government for not publicly explaining its reasons.

The political leaders argued that the measure reflects an overly dependent Dominican foreign policy toward the United States and could harm the country’s historic relationship with Cuba.