On March 6, the Cuban Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Cuban Embassy in Quito ceased operations at 10 am local time.
A statement from the Cuban Foreign Ministry said that President Daniel Noboa giving Cuba 48 hours to withdraw diplomatic personnel from Ecuador is unfair.
The Cuban government deeply regrets the unilateral and unfriendly actions of the Ecuadorian government, which harm the spirit of respect and cooperation, which is a historical characteristic of bilateral relations," the statement stated.
The closure of the Cuban Embassy in Quito marks a sudden rift in diplomatic relations between Cuba and Ecuador.
On March 4, in a letter to the Cuban Embassy, President Noboa's government declared that all Cuban diplomats and consuls in Ecuador are non grata (persona non grata).
The letter also stated that the Ecuadorian government gave Cuban Ambassador Basilio Antonio Gutierrez Garcia and his colleagues a 48-hour deadline to leave this South American country.
The letter from President Noboa's administration did not give any explanation for the sudden request mentioned above.
President Noboa announced the expulsion of Cuban diplomats from Ecuador with a short video posted on social media showing a Cuban Embassy staff member putting papers in a fireplace on the roof.
The Cuban government has reacted to Ecuador's move. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel criticized President Noboa's government's move but also affirmed that the Ecuadorian people "can always rely on Cuba's feelings and support".
We reject the unreasonable, hostile and unfriendly actions of the Ecuadorian government towards our recognized diplomatic mission in that country. This unprecedented action harms the historical friendship and cooperation between the people of our two countries" - Cuban President emphasized.
He affirmed that Cuba will continue to fight for the preservation of the unity of Latin America despite Ecuador's moves.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has established a personal relationship with US President Donald Trump. This week, his government announced a joint campaign with the US government to fight drug gangs in Ecuador.
This weekend, Mr. Noboa and other leaders in Latin America will go to South Florida, USA to meet Mr. Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort. This meeting is called by the parties the "Scean of America" summit.
Since September 2025, the US has conducted at least 44 airstrikes on ships in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, accusing these ships of drug trafficking.
Ecuadorian President Noboa's decision to expel Cuban diplomats this week coincides with the moment US President Donald Trump is stepping up pressure on Cuba.
After attacking Venezuela in January 2026, President Trump cut off the oil flow between Caracas and Havana. On January 29, Mr. Trump issued an executive order threatening economic sanctions against any country that supplies oil to Cuba, whether directly or indirectly.
