The president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Cuba amid US pressure on the island. As a result, the closure of its embassy in Havana and the expulsion of Cuban diplomats were ordered.
The Costa Rican government, an ally of President Donald Trump, justified the decision by expressing that there is deep concern about the deterioration of human rights in the Caribbean country, in addition to the increase in acts of repression against citizens.
Chaves declared at a press conference that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the communist regime in Cuba, given the mistreatment, repression and undignified conditions suffered on the island.
“We do not recognize the legitimacy of this government. We will not have a consulate there; we will serve the population from Panama. Enough! Since 1959, the parasitic regime has used other countries to support its people. We must recognize that the communist model has failed in Cuba, as well as everywhere it has been implemented. Only human freedom can lead us to progress,” he declared.
The president gave Cuban diplomats a month to leave the country.
In response, Miguel Diáz-Canel’s regime said that the decision was taken “under pressure from the US” and in an arbitrary manner.
This week, Trump stated that “very soon” there could be an agreement with Cuba and that his government’s attention will focus on the island as soon as the conflict with Iran ends.
The statements were made at a time of maximum tension after Washington established an oil blockade on Cuba in January and cut off Venezuelan oil supplies.
