Dominican Republic orders the departure of Cuban diplomats under the protection of the Vienna Convention
The Government of the Dominican Republic has made the decision to request the departure from the country of nine diplomats from the Cuban Embassy in Santo Domingo, along with their family members. This measure affects a total of 21 people, who must leave the national territory before Sunday, August 16.
To support this action, the Dominican authorities have invoked Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This legal mechanism allows the receiving State to declare members of the diplomatic staff as “persona non grata” without the obligation to publicly state the reasons justifying the determination.
Context and diplomatic tensions
Although the Dominican Foreign Ministry remains reserved about the specific reasons behind this measure, various analysts point to a progressive cooling in relations between Santo Domingo and Havana. Over the last few months, milestones have been recorded that mark a more distant stance by the current Dominican administration:
- Statements by President Luis Abinader last May, where he questioned the democratic nature of the Cuban system.
- The Dominican Republic’s abstention in a key United Nations vote regarding the trade embargo against Cuba in July.
- The decision to exclude representatives from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the X Summit of the Americas, scheduled to be held in Punta Cana.
What does Article 9 of the Vienna Convention imply?
Article 9 establishes that the receiving State may, at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that any member of the diplomatic mission is persona non grata. Upon this notice, the sending State shall either recall the person concerned or terminate his or her functions with the mission.
This regulation is a standard tool in international law for managing diplomatic crises or changes in foreign policy, allowing sovereign countries to protect their interests without the need to enter into public debates about the foundations of their position.
A complex regional landscape
The measure adopted by the Dominican Republic joins a regional trend observed during 2026, where several countries have hardened their stance against Havana. Ecuador, for example, took similar measures against the Cuban ambassador in its territory, while nations like Costa Rica have opted to reduce their levels of diplomatic representation.
For its part, the Government of Cuba has described these actions as the result of external pressures, rejecting the accusations that have led to the expulsion of its personnel. Meanwhile, at Alofoke Deportes we continue to follow the official statements from the Dominican Foreign Ministry to clarify the details of this new chapter in the diplomatic history between both nations.
