# Dominican Republic-Cuba diplomatic tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-cuba-diplomatic-tensions > Updated: 2026-08-13T17:10:46.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 2. The Dominican Republic has ordered the departure of Cuban diplomatic mission members and their families, granting them seven days to leave the country. Citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it would handle the matter with discretion to preserve bilateral relations, though it did not provide specific reasons for the expulsion. Discrepancies exist regarding the scale of the order: the Dominican Republic reported nine diplomats, while the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated ten officials are being expelled. Local reports estimate approximately 21 people, including family members, are affected. Cuba has rejected the measure, characterizing it as an ‘act of subordination’ to United States policy and an attempt by Washington to isolate the island. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla claimed there is no justification for the expulsion and alleged that Washington is pressuring regional nations to isolate Cuba. Cuban Ambassador Ángel Arzuaga Reyes noted that he had not received prior warning regarding the request. The decision follows previous actions by the Dominican government to exclude Cuba from regional summits, such as the X Summit of the Americas, and has sparked significant political debate within the Dominican Republic. While the Dominican government maintains the action is aimed at specific individuals and does not signal a total rupture of bilateral ties, local political figures have expressed varying views, with some criticizing the lack of transparency and others supporting the government's stance on national sovereignty. ## Claims - The Cuban government states that 10 officials are affected, contradicting the Dominican report of nine. (disputed by 16 sources) - The Dominican Republic has requested the withdrawal of nine Cuban diplomatic mission members and their families. (disputed by 12 sources) - Cuba claims the expulsion is a result of pressure from the United States to isolate the island. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The expelled diplomats and their families have been given seven days to leave the Dominican Republic. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The Dominican government has not provided specific reasons for the expulsion. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The total number of expelled Cubans, including family members, is estimated to be approximately 21. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Dominican Republic expels Cuban diplomats and their families The Dominican Republic has ordered the expulsion of Cuban diplomats and their families, citing international law. Cuba has condemned the move as an act of subordination to United States pressure. 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-orders-nine-cuban-diplomats-to-leave-country ### 2026-08-12: Dominican Republic Migration Directorate clarifies exit ban protocols The Dominican Republic’s Migration Directorate clarified that exit bans are only implemented and lifted by the Attorney General’s Office following formal judicial orders. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-migration-directorate-clarifies-exit-ban-protocols --- Cite as: Dominican Republic-Cuba diplomatic tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-cuba-diplomatic-tensions