Ecuador Expels All Cuban Embassy Staff Ahead of Trump Summit

The Ecuadorian government has expelled all Cuban embassy staff from the country, marking a significant shift in relations between Ecuador and Cuba. This decision comes ahead of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry stated that the decision was made due to "unacceptable interference" by the Cuban government in Ecuador's internal affairs. The ministry did not provide specific details on the nature of the interference. The move follows a broader trend of Ecuador's shift towards a more conservative, pro-US political stance under the Moreno administration. This contrasts with the previous leftist government of Rafael Correa, who had close ties with Cuba and other leftist governments in the region. The expulsion of Cuban embassy staff is seen as a symbolic gesture by Ecuador to align itself more closely with the United States ahead of the upcoming summit between Moreno and Trump. The decision is likely to further strain relations between Ecuador and its leftist neighbors in the region.