Costa Rica shuts Cuban embassy, calls to "cleanse hemisphere of Communists"

Record ID: 2367260

  • Title: Costa Rica shuts Cuban embassy, calls to "cleanse hemisphere of Communists"
  • Date: 19th March 2026
  • Summary: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (MARCH 18, 2026) (REUTERS) CUBAN FLAG AT THAT COUNTRY'S EMBASSY IN COSTA RICA CUBA'S EMBASSY IN COSTA RICA COAT OF ARMS OF CUBA'S EMBASSY IN COSTA RICA PENA BLANCAS, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA (MARCH 18, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA, RODRIGO CHAVES, SAYING: "In view of the mistreatment, the repression, the undignified condi
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Chaves Closure Costa Rica Cuba Diplomatic crisis Embassy U.S. blockades
  • Location: PENA BLANCAS, GUANACASTE AND SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
  • City: PENA BLANCAS, GUANACASTE AND SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
  • Country: Costa Rica
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,South America / Central America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001539219032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves announced on Wednesday (March 18) the closure of Cuba's embassy in his country, declaring he does not recognise the legitimacy of the Cuban government due to what he described as mistreatment and repression of the island's inhabitants. 
    Speaking at a conference in Pena Blancas, Guanacaste, Chaves ordered Cuban diplomats to leave, stating "take your diplomats away" and calling for the hemisphere to be cleansed of Communists. 
    Cuba's foreign ministry said it was informed on Tuesday (March 17) of the order for diplomatic staff to withdraw by April 1, with only consulate staff remaining, and accused Costa Rica of subordination to United States policy against Cuba. 
    The move follows Ecuador's closure of its Cuban embassy earlier this month and comes amid escalating rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he expected to have the "honour" of "taking Cuba in some form." 
    According to Cuba's government, a longstanding U.S. economic embargo has contributed to an economic crisis that has pushed over 1 million people to leave the island. The Trump administration's oil blockade on Cuba has recently contributed to widespread blackouts affecting homes, hospitals and businesses across the island.
    (Production: Hector Guzman, Dessire Carrion, Hugo Monnet)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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