On Wednesday, Ecuador officially labeled Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez, along with his diplomatic team, as “persona non grata,” granting them 48 hours to exit the country.
The Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement indicating that this action was taken in line with international diplomatic regulations, but did not provide any reasons for the expulsion. Under the Vienna Convention, nations have the right to declare diplomatic staff as persona non grata without needing to give an explanation.
Following the announcement, an individual was spotted on the roof of the Cuban Embassy in Quito, incinerating a bag of documents in an oven. This event was observed by The Associated Press and subsequently shared in a video on social media by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who casually referred to it as “a paper barbecue.”
Ecuadorian authorities did not disclose further information regarding the incident or reveal the identity of the individual involved.
In response, Cuba’s government vehemently condemned the action in a statement released Wednesday night, describing it as an “unfriendly and unprecedented act that severely undermines the longstanding relations of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.”
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry stated, “This action highlights the current Ecuadorian government’s disregard for diplomatic norms and courtesies recognized by the international community.”
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This decision follows an executive order issued by Noboa on Tuesday, which also terminated the diplomatic role of Ecuadorian ambassador to Cuba, José María Borja, without providing any rationale.
On the same day, Ecuador and the United States announced the commencement of joint military operations aimed at combating organized crime in the Andean region. Noboa has positioned himself as a leader focused on tackling crime in response to a rise in violence from armed groups in recent years.
Increasing U.S. pressure on Cuba
This development occurs amid escalating pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Cuba, which intensified following a U.S. military operation that ousted former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Cuba has faced significant economic challenges throughout 2026, largely due to actions taken by the Trump administration to restrict its oil supply. These restrictions have led to fuel shortages, leaving the populace without electricity and, at times, food. Peter Kornbluh, author of Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana, suggests this presents an existential threat to the Cuban government, yet both parties still have a vested interest in reaching a negotiated resolution.
Since then, Trump has imposed limitations on oil exports to Cuba, asserting that the government is “on the brink of collapse.” Ecuador aligns itself with the Trump administration as a partner in combating drug trafficking and organized crime in the area.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, stated on Wednesday via a post on X that it appeared “no coincidence” that Ecuador expelled Cuba’s diplomatic personnel concurrently with U.S. pressure on Cuba and other regional governments, particularly before a meeting of predominantly right-leaning Latin American leaders scheduled in Miami next week, which Noboa is expected to attend.
Bilateral relations between Ecuador and Cuba have existed since 1960, with their dynamics fluctuating in response to changes in Ecuador’s political landscape.
Analyst notes ‘ideological factor’ in the decision
The expulsion on Wednesday carries an “ideological factor,” according to Andrea Endara, a coordinator of Political Science and International Relations at Casa Grande University. She commented that Noboa “has aligned himself with U.S. interests.”
A police officer is seen outside the Cuban Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, on Wednesday. (Karen Toro/Reuters)
The effective removal of the Cuban diplomats follows several diplomatic incidents involving Ecuador and other Latin American countries in recent years.
In 2024, Ecuadorian officials conducted a raid on the Mexican embassy to apprehend a former vice-president who sought refuge there. Analysts deemed this a clear violation of international law, leading to Mexico severing diplomatic ties.
More recently, tensions have escalated into a trade dispute between Ecuador and neighboring Colombia, which Noboa’s administration has accused of failing to adequately address crime along their shared border.