Havana, March 4, 2026 — Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sharply criticised Ecuador’s decision to expel all personnel from the Cuban Embassy in Quito, calling the move “arbitrary and unjustified” and warning it will damage long-standing ties between the two nations.

According to Havana, Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility issued a formal note on March 4 declaring all Cuban diplomatic, consular, and administrative staff persona non grata. The diplomats were given 48 hours to leave the country. No explanation was provided for the expulsion.

Cuba described the measure as “unfriendly and unprecedented,” arguing that its embassy staff had fully complied with Ecuadorian laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Officials in Havana suggested the decision was influenced by U.S. pressure, noting it comes just days before a summit in Miami involving several regional governments.

The Cuban government emphasised that the move disregards established diplomatic norms and courtesies and reaffirmed confidence that the Ecuadorian people will continue to value the historic ties of solidarity with Cuba.

Background on Cuba–Ecuador Relations

Cuba and Ecuador have traditionally maintained close diplomatic and cultural ties, particularly during periods of left-leaning governance in Quito. Cooperation has often centered on medical and educational programs, with Cuban doctors working in Ecuador under bilateral agreements. Relations cooled in recent years as Ecuador shifted its foreign policy, aligning more closely with Washington and reducing collaboration with Havana. The expulsion of Cuban diplomats marks the sharpest downturn in relations between the two countries in decades, raising questions about the future of bilateral cooperation and regional dynamics.