Dominican Republic’s expulsion of Cuban officials sparks geopolitical tension

The Dominican Republic expelled nine Cuban diplomatic officials and their families on Thursday without providing a reason, according to the country's foreign ministry. Cuba denounced the move as an act of "submission" to U.S. policies against Havana, amid an energy and financial blockade. This expulsion occurred after the establishment of the "Shield of the Americas," a regional security initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump in March, which excluded Cuba due to political differences and tensions.

In recent months, several conservative Latin American nations, such as Colombia and Ecuador, severed relations or closed their embassies in Cuba, aligning themselves with Trump's politics. Cuba's Foreign Ministry stated that the expulsion involved 10 officials, not nine as initially reported by the Dominicans, and expressed regret over the decision made by Dominican President Luis Abinader.

The Dominican government's former Minister for Regional Integration Policies, Miguel Mejía, deemed the measure extreme, similar to the abrupt rupture experienced during the 31-year dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, which ended in 1961. He called for the Dominican government to explain the real reasons behind its decision to the Dominican people.