Ecuador has declared Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez, and his diplomatic team as “persona non grata,” instructing them to depart the South American country within 48 hours. The decision, made under international diplomatic law, was not accompanied by an explanation as to the reasons behind the expulsion. The Vienna Convention permits countries to designate diplomatic personnel as persona non grata without providing justification.
Following the announcement, an individual was observed on the roof of the Cuban Embassy in Quito setting fire to a bag of documents in an oven. The incident, witnessed by The Associated Press and later shared on social media by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, was humorously referred to as a “paper barbecue.” Ecuadorian authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the episode or the individual involved.
In response to Ecuador’s action, Cuba’s government issued a statement condemning it as an “unfriendly and unprecedented act” that harms the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Cuba’s Foreign Ministry criticized Ecuador for disregarding diplomatic norms and practices recognized by the international community.
The expulsion of the Cuban officials comes on the heels of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa revoking the diplomatic responsibilities of Ecuador’s ambassador to Cuba, José María Borja, without elaboration. Concurrently, the United States and Ecuador have initiated joint military operations to combat organized crime groups within Ecuador. President Noboa has been positioning himself as a tough-on-crime leader in response to a rise in violent activities by armed groups in recent years.
The move by Ecuador coincides with increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Cuba, particularly following a U.S. military operation that ousted former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. President Trump has enforced restrictions on oil sales to Cuba and suggested that the Cuban government is on the brink of collapse. Ecuador’s alignment with the Trump administration in combating drug trafficking and organized crime in the region has been apparent.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, in a post on X, insinuated that Ecuador’s expulsion of Cuban diplomatic personnel was likely coordinated with the U.S.’s efforts to exert pressure on Cuba and other regional governments. This development precedes a gathering of predominantly right-wing Latin American leaders in Miami, which President Noboa is scheduled to attend.
Since establishing bilateral relations in 1960, Ecuador and Cuba have maintained a fluctuating relationship influenced by shifts in Ecuadorian politics. The recent decision to expel Cuban officials is viewed by Andrea Endara, co-ordinator of Political Science and International Relations at Casa Grande University, as having an “ideological component,” with President Noboa aligning himself with U.S. interests.
The expulsion of Cuban officials by Ecuador adds to a series of diplomatic tensions between Ecuador and other Latin American nations in recent years. In 2024, Ecuadorian authorities conducted a controversial raid on the Mexican embassy to apprehend a former vice-president seeking refuge, resulting in strained relations with Mexico. Additionally, Ecuador has been engaged in a trade dispute with neighboring Colombia over the perceived lack of efforts to combat crime along their shared border.
