March 18, 2026 — CBS/AFP
Costa Rica announced Wednesday it has shut its embassy in Havana and instructed Cuba to withdraw its diplomatic staff from San José, signaling a sharp diplomatic break with the island.
President Rodrigo Chaves, speaking after the move was made public, said, “We have to clean out communists from the hemisphere.” The decision orders Cuban personnel to leave the Costa Rican capital’s embassy except for consular staff who will remain to handle citizen services.
Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre Tinoco said the step was taken out of “deep concern” over what he described as a “sustained deterioration of the human rights situation in Cuba,” pointing to an increase in repression against citizens, activists and dissidents.
The Cuban Embassy in Washington responded on social media, claiming Costa Rica acted “under pressure from the United States.” Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz‑Canel Bermúdez, also wrote on social media that “any external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance.”
Costa Rica’s decision aligns it with other U.S. allies that have recently taken a tougher stance toward Havana. Earlier in March, Ecuador expelled Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Gutiérrez, accusing him of interfering in domestic affairs and participating in “violent activities.”
The announcement comes as Cuba faces mounting international pressure and growing domestic unrest. The island has been hit by severe energy shortages, experienced a nationwide blackout this week, and saw protests reported last week.
Observers note Costa Rica’s move follows closer political alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump. In recent statements Trump suggested he may take stronger action on Cuba, saying officials from both countries were “talking” and that “I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do.” He added in subsequent remarks, “We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon,” and said, “Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it.”
The diplomatic rupture marks a notable shift for Costa Rica, a country long known for its neutrality in regional disputes. Officials have framed the embassy closure as a response to human rights concerns; critics say it reflects a broader geopolitical realignment in the hemisphere.
Joe Walsh contributed to this report.