Cuba closes Quito embassy after Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa expels its diplomats

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffMarch 7, 2026 at 12:51 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Cuba closed its embassy in Quito, Ecuador, after the Ecuadorian government, led by President Daniel Noboa, expelled all Cuban diplomatic and consular personnel, declaring them persona non grata and granting them 48 hours to leave the country. The expulsion, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted strong criticism from the Cuban government, which described the action as unjustified, hostile, and damaging to the historic relations between the two nations. Ecuador did not provide an explanation for the expulsion. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the embassy ceased operations on Friday at 10 am local time. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed regret over the decision but affirmed Cuba's continued support for the Ecuadorian people.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Iran 30% United States 40% Basilio Antonio Gutierrez Garcia 60% Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) 70% Miguel Diaz-Canel ×270% Quito ×380% Daniel Noboa ×590% Cuba ×9100% Ecuador ×7100%

Keywords

expulsion of diplomats 90% diplomatic relations 90% cuba 80% ecuador 80% embassy closure 70% persona non grata 60% political relations 50% daniel noboa 50% left-wing governments 40%