Q COSTARICA — After asserting that America must be cleansed of communism and that Cubans should be free and live in prosperity, not under a regime of terror and suffering, the government of Rodrigo Chaves announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba and the severing of diplomatic relations.
The president stated that communism is a failed system and that, in the case of Cuba, it has lived by parasitizing other countries, regardless of the immense suffering of its citizens.
The president asked the communist regime to withdraw its diplomats from Costa Rica, but requested that only a consulate remain to assist the thousands of Cuban refugees living in Costa Rica.
Read more: Legislator calls Rodrigo Chaves “lapdog” of the U.S.
In this regard, Chaves emphasized that the current crisis in Cuba, where its citizens suffer from shortages of food, medicine, and basic services, is unacceptable, and therefore, Costa Rica has made the decision to break with Cuba.
“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that Cuban government. The foreign minister said it very nicely. I say it differently: take your diplomats with you. If you want to leave consulate officials here, welcome. We won’t have a consulate there; we’ll serve you from Panama. (…) The Americans say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Since 1959, the regime has been a parasite on other countries and has caused enormous suffering to their people. Do you know what’s happening there? Another huge crisis, and today they must recognize that the communist model has failed in Cuba, as it has failed everywhere it has been implemented. Only human freedom can lead to progress,” Chaves said.
Cuba Denounces US Pressure After Costa Rica’s Decision
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba issued a statement rejecting the Costa Rican government’s decision to close its embassy in Havana and reduce bilateral relations to the consular level.
According to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, on March 17, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified Cuba, via diplomatic note and without offering any justification, of the unilateral closure of its diplomatic mission in Cuba. Furthermore, it requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, allowing only consular and administrative staff to remain.
In its statement, Cuba described the measure as arbitrary and asserted that it was adopted under pressure from the United States, without considering the interests of either nation. The Cuban Foreign Ministry also rejected statements by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, whom it accused of manipulating the Cuban reality to justify the decision.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry also indicated that this action is part of what it considers a policy of aligning Costa Rica with U.S. interests to isolate Cuba.
Finally, the statement emphasizes that, despite diplomatic tensions, the historical ties between the people of Cuba and Costa Rica will remain strong.