Despite the breakdown of diplomatic relations by the authorities in Quito, Cuba’s President emphasized that the Ecuadorian people will always have the support of his country.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel strongly condemned Ecuador’s decision on March 5, to expel all Cuban Embassy personnel from Quito, labeling it “an unjustified, hostile, and unprecedented act” that undermines the historical ties of friendship and cooperation between both nations.

RELATED: Ecuador Declares Cuban Ambassador Persona Non Grata

The Cuban Head of State articulated his rejection of the Ecuadorian Government’s move, emphasizing that such measures assault the enduring bonds between their respective peoples. Diaz-Canel’s statement underscores Cuba’s unwavering commitment to principled diplomacy and its firm stance against what it perceives as actions driven by external pressures.

“In a turbulent international context, Cuba reaffirms its will to advocate for preserving Latin American unity in the face of this policy of clear submission by Ecuador to imperial interests”, he stated in a post on his official X account.

Text reads: “We reject the unjustified, hostile and unfriendly actions of the government of Ecuador towards our accredited diplomatic representation in that nation. This unprecedented action damages the historic relations of friendship and cooperation between our peoples.”

This assertion positions Cuba as a bulwark for regional sovereignty and solidarity, particularly in the face of what it views as a growing influence of foreign agendas on sovereign nations. The Cuban leader’s words resonate with a broader Latin American discourse on self-determination and resistance to external hegemony.

Despite the diplomatic breakdown initiated by Quito, the Cuban Government maintains that the affection and solidarity between the Cuban and Ecuadorian peoples will endure beyond current political tensions, reinforcing Cuba’s long-standing policy of people-to-people diplomacy and solidarity, seeking to transcend governmental disputes by appealing to shared cultural and historical bonds.

Text reads: “In a convulsed international context, Cuba reaffirms its willingness to advocate preserving Latin American unity against this policy of clear submission of Ecuador to imperial interests. The people of Alfaro and Guayasamin will always be able to count on the love and support of Cuba.”

The Cuban President’s reaction follows a Verbal Note issued by Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility on Wednesday, March 4, which declared the entire Cuban diplomatic corps “persona non grata”, granting them a mere 48 hours to depart Ecuadorian territory.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs backed the Executive’s position, asserting that its representatives have rigorously adhered to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, respecting local laws and refraining from interference in Ecuador’s internal affairs. He emphasized Cuba’s commitment to international diplomatic protocols and refutes any claims of impropriety by its diplomatic personnel.

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Imperial Interests Aligned

The Cuban Government specifically linked Quito’s decision to the current escalation of United States’ aggression policies against Cuba, amid the economic, commercial and financial blockade and the recent oil sanctions. It highlighted the timing of the measure, noting its coincidence with an upcoming regional summit scheduled for March, 7 in Miami.

This connection suggests that Ecuador’s actions are not isolated but rather part of a broader geopolitical alignment, potentially influenced by external pressures from Washington, under a coordinated effort to exert pressure on Cuba within the region.

Ecuadorians Support Cuba

The severe and unjustified decision by President Daniel Noboa’s right-wing Government has not only drawn condemnation from Cuba. Ecuadorian citizens gathered on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Cuban Embassy in Quito, displaying banners in support of the largest of the Antilles and protesting what they deemed an infringement on national sovereignty. This public demonstration reflects a segment of Ecuadorian society that opposes the government’s diplomatic stance and expresses solidarity with Cuba.

Text reads: “Expressions of solidarity in front of the Cuban embassy in Quito: Expressions of solidarity are recorded this Wednesday afternoon on the exterior of the Cuban Embassy in Quito, where dozens of people have gathered to express their support for the Government and the Cuban people, following the decision of the Ecuadorian State to declare Ambassador Basilio Antonio Gutierrez Garcia as persona non grata and order the departure of diplomatic staff from the island within 48 hours. With Cuban flags and slogans in defense of sovereignty, the attendees point out that the measure adopted by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is straining bilateral relations.”

In a similar vein, Ecuadorian opposition legislators characterized the measure as a “worrying act” that severs decades of cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, the Ecuadorian political movement Citizen’s Revolution branded the diplomatic rupture as a “shameful and servile alignment” by President Daniel Noboa with his United States counterpart, Donald Trump.

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