Dominican Rep. Expels Cuban Official   08/14 06:28

   

   SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- The Dominican Republic on Thursday 
ordered the expulsion of nine Cuban diplomatic officials and their families 
from the country without offering any reasons for the decision, according to 
the country's foreign ministry.

   The measure was strongly criticized by Cuba, which described it as an act of 
"submission" to U.S. policies against Havana amidst an energy and financial 
blockade.

   The expulsion of the Cuban officials comes after the creation of the "Shield 
of the Americas," a geopolitical and regional security initiative launched in 
March by U.S. President Donald Trump.

   Cuba was not included due to political differences and increased tensions 
between the U.S. and Havana.

   In recent months, several conservative Latin American countries, including 
Colombia and Ecuador, have cut relations or closed their embassies in Cuba 
while proclaiming their political alignment with Trump.

   Cuba's Foreign Ministry reacted that the expulsion involved 10 officials -- 
not nine as the Dominicans had stated -- and expressed regret over the decision 
by Dominican President Luis Abinader.

   "There is no reason whatsoever to justify this decision by the Dominican 
authorities," it said.

   The Dominican Republic's former Minister for Regional Integration Policies, 
Miguel Meja, considered the measure extreme, comparable only to the rupture 
imposed during the 31-year dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo that ended 
in 1961.

   He also demanded that "the Dominican government explain to the Dominican 
people the real reasons why it made this decision."