Dominican Republic expels Cuban diplomats amid espionage allegations

diplomatic expulsion Cuban athletes Central American and Caribbean Games espionage allegations Cuba-Dominican relations

Tensions have escalated between Cuba and the Dominican Republic following the expulsion of several Cuban diplomats and revelations of surveillance during the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.

Investigations indicate that Cuban security agents infiltrated sports venues, sometimes disguised in the uniforms of other national delegations, to monitor Cuban athletes and prevent defections. Dominican security forces intervened at the Parque del Este after spotting agents pursuing athletes attempting to leave the delegation. By the end of the Games, at least five Cuban athletes had defected.

The Dominican government ordered the departure of Cuban diplomats, citing the authority granted by the Convention on Diplomatic Relations. While some reports suggest the move was linked to suspected intelligence activities, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided a specific public justification beyond international law.

In response, the Cuban government, through Vice Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal, accused the Dominican Republic of yielding to pressure from the United States to isolate Cuba. Cuban officials characterized the expulsion as unjustified and a violation of diplomatic norms.

Entities

Central American and Caribbean Games · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Government of Cuba · Government of the Dominican Republic · Josefina Vidal · Odin Ysla Hernández · Santo Domingo

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The expulsion of Cuban diplomats coincided with the defection of several Cuban athletes during the 2026 Games. almomento.net
[● 3 SOURCES] The Dominican government ordered the departure of Cuban diplomats, citing the Convention on Diplomatic Relations. precision.com.do · almomento.net · www.dominicanoshoy.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Cuban security agents infiltrated the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo to monitor athletes and prevent defections. noticiasdehoy.com.mx · www.cubaheadlines.com · noticialibre.com · diariodecuba.com
[● 3 SOURCES] At least five Cuban athletes defected during the Central American and Caribbean Games. www.cubaheadlines.com · noticialibre.com · diariodecuba.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Cuban agents used uniforms from other national delegations to approach athletes without raising suspicion. noticiasdehoy.com.mx · www.cubaheadlines.com · noticialibre.com · diariodecuba.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal accused the Dominican Republic of yielding to United States pressure. precision.com.do · lademajagua.cu · www.tvsantiago.icrt.cu · www.dominicanoshoy.com