The expulsion of Cuban diplomats from the Dominican Republic has generated criticism and questions about the government.

The Dominican government‘s decision to order the departure of at least nine Cuban diplomats from the country on Thursday drew criticism from political leaders, who questioned the measure and demanded that the authorities explain the reasons behind it.

Among the critics is the general secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU), Miguel Mejía, who strongly condemned the decision and considered that it responds to geopolitical interests unrelated to the Dominican Republic.

Mejía argued that the United States has been determined to maintain control over Latin America and that countries considered allies of Washington end up adopting such decisions.

The MIU secretary-general described the measure as dictatorial in nature. 

“It is the thing to Trujillo’s decision, the one that the Dominican Government has just made, with the difference that it is not proposing a break in relations,” Mejía said, referring to the expulsion of the Cuban officials and the intention to maintain diplomatic ties with Cuba.

He also questioned whether the measure could be motivated by a geopolitical purpose aimed at affecting Cuba. 

“Who can tell me that this isn’t a geopolitical objective to attack Cuba? Because from the border, from Dajabón to Pedernales, you are closer than to the United States itself,” he stated.

Guillermo Moreno also questions the measure

For his part, the president of the Broad Front party, Guillermo Moreno, rejected the Dominican government’s decision. 

“We all know how a criminal blockade has been and developed, and at this moment, that blockade has characteristics of genocide,” he stated.

The political leader believed that the Dominican Republic should have shown solidarity with Cuba, given the historical and cultural ties that unite both the two peoples.

“Far from showing solidarity with a brother nation, such as the people of Cuba, with whom we have historical ties since colonial times,” Moreno stated.

He also recalled the historical ties between the two countries, including the figures of Máximo Gómez and José Martí, as well as Cuba’s role in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“That the Dominican government has lent itself to this at this moment, on this specific day, is a disgrace to me,” he said.

“One wonders if what we have is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Ministry of Colonies,” he concluded.