On 13 August 2026 the Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave without stating a reason; Havana put the number at ten and criticised President Luis Abinader over the move.

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and is the larger of the two states by population and economy; its capital is Santo Domingo.

The expulsion came amid a wider Washington-led sanctions campaign against Cuba's economy, and fits a pattern this dispatch has tracked of third countries in the region growing warier of dealings with Havana.

Common Questions

Where is the Dominican Republic?

A Caribbean country on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti; its capital is Santo Domingo.Source: Standing geography

Why did the Dominican Republic expel Cuban diplomats in 2026?

Neither government has said; the Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban diplomats to leave on 13 August 2026 and Havana criticised President Luis Abinader over it.Source: Lowdown briefing, cuba-dispatch update 705

How many Cuban diplomats did the Dominican Republic expel?

The Dominican Republic said nine; Havana put the number at ten.Source: Lowdown briefing, cuba-dispatch update 705

How the World Sees Them

Pedro Monreal, independent Cuban economist

Se legaliza un operador, pero no se explica cómo puede entrar el siguiente.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier

Florida will never stop pursuing accountability for that communist conspiracy.

Cuban government (Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla)

an infamous act with no legal, ethical or practical value

US administration (Treasury, OFAC and the Coast Guard)

I don't think we'll need the military.

China

abierta, transparente y legítima

Russia

no está en la agenda

US Treasury (OFAC) and State Department

Among those designated today are a grandson of Raul Castro, Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, Banco Exterior de Cuba, and four entities exploiting Cuba's natural resources or energy reserves for the benefit of the regime

Unión Eléctrica (UNE), Cuba's state grid operator

ridícula y torpe mentira

Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX)

castigo colectivo

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 8 September 2026. Editorial standards.