QUITO – Ecuador’s foreign ministry announced Wednesday that it has ordered Cuban Ambassador Basilio Gutierrez and his entire diplomatic team to leave the country, designating them as unwelcome persons under international law.
The ministry gave the Cuban officials 48 hours to depart Ecuador, though government officials have not revealed the reasons behind President Daniel Noboa’s administration making this diplomatic move. The decision was made under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, according to the announcement.
Officials have not clarified whether this action represents a complete severing of diplomatic ties between Ecuador and Cuba’s government in Havana.
Security forces from Ecuador’s police and military were observed maintaining a presence around the Cuban embassy building in Quito following the announcement, witnesses reported.
When contacted for a response, a spokesperson at the Cuban embassy declined to provide any statement regarding the expulsion order.
