Ecuador declares Cuban ambassador 'persona non grata'

Ecuador declared Cuban Ambassador Basilio Gutierrez and his diplomatic staff "persona non grata," the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, giving them 48 hours to leave the country.

Authorities did not explain why President Daniel Noboa's government made the decision, but cited Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Cuba's foreign ministry rejected the move as "arbitrary and unjustified," describing it as an "unfriendly and unprecedented act" that undermines historic ties between the nations.

Havana suggested the expulsion was linked to U.S. pressure ahead of an upcoming weekend summit in Miami involving regional representatives.

Ecuadorean police and military personnel were seen patrolling the area outside the Cuban embassy in Quito, according to Reuters witnesses.

Ecuador did not address whether the move implied a formal break in diplomatic relations with Cuba.

-Alexandra Valencia/Reuters