August 19, 2026
Miguel Mejia
Miguel Mejía, of the United Left Movement, states that the expulsion ordered by the Luis Abinader administration represents an “unfortunate exception” in a historic relationship of deep brotherhood.
The secretary general of the United Left Movement (MIU), Miguel Mejía, on Tuesday condemned the expulsion of Cuban diplomats from the Dominican Republic and defended the historic bilateral ties that unite both peoples.
In an article titled “Dominican-Cuban Relations Beyond the Current Administration”, published on the official website of the United Left Movement (MIU), Mejía described the measure adopted by the government of Luis Abinader on August 13 as a “regrettable exception” in the history of bilateral relations between the Dominican Republic and Cuba.”
The political leader criticized the fact that the expulsion of Cuban diplomats is taking place amid a climate of suffocation and aggression against the island, coinciding precisely with the commemoration of the centennial of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.
Furthermore, he linked the executive branch’s decision to a “crisis of sovereignty” in the country. In this regard, he denounced the agreement allowing the presence of U.S. military aircraft at the San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport.
The leftist leader asserted that ties between the people are a thousand times more stable and solid than formal diplomatic relations. He attributed this deep brotherhood to the geographical proximity and shared history between the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Mejía recalled the active participation of Cuban fighters in the wars of the Dominican Restoration. He also highlighted the role of Dominican heroes Máximo Gómez, Modesto Díaz, and the Marcano brothers in the struggles for independence of the Cuban people.
In his historical account, he explained that the official ties established in 1902 were severed following the expeditions against dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo on June 14, 1959. However, the process of rapprochement was consolidated between 1996 and 1998, during the administration of Leonel Fernández.
The normalization of bilateral relations included state visits by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro Ruz to the Dominican Republic, as well as the inauguration of the Máximo Gómez Polytechnic in Baní, a project donated by the Caribbean island as a symbol of solidarity.
In Mejía’s view, the renewed military pact—while the United States maintains constant threats against Cuba—demonstrates that the forced withdrawal of the diplomatic mission does not reflect an act of full sovereignty on the part of the Dominican government.
Finally, he highlighted the popular protests against the controversial official decision and invoked historical precedent to argue that no temporary decision by a sitting president will succeed in dissolving the indestructible bond between the two nations in the region.
Source: Cubadebate, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – English