Dominican Republic asks Cuba to withdraw nine diplomats, citing discretion

The Dominican government has formally requested the expulsion of nine members of the Cuban diplomatic mission, along with their families. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision, setting a seven-day deadline for their departure, but has conspicuously omitted any specific reasons for this significant measure.

The ministry stated that it would not offer additional explanations regarding the case, citing the nature of diplomatic communications. This stance was reiterated in a brief, three-paragraph statement that confirmed the withdrawal order without detailing the conduct, incident, or circumstance that prompted the request.

While the government has not disclosed whether the decision stems from a specific event in the Dominican Republic, allegations against the officials, or a broader bilateral issue, it has invoked the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The government maintains that the decision is in line with international norms and emphasizes its commitment to conducting the matter with discretion through established diplomatic channels to preserve relations between the two countries.

Article 9 of the Vienna Convention allows a receiving state to declare a diplomat persona non grata or unacceptable at any time without being obliged to explain its decision. This legal framework means the Dominican Republic is not bound to publicly disclose the grounds for its request, underscoring the government's decision to maintain confidentiality.