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In a context marked by the growing violence in Syria, the Cuban regime decided to evacuate the staff of its diplomatic mission in that country to the Embassy of Cuba in Lebanon.
Images and messages shared by members of the mission reflect the difficult situation experienced in Damascus, a city devastated by conflict.
Ivette Martínez, a former member of the Cuban diplomatic delegation, shared a photograph of the evacuees on Facebook.
In the comments on the post, diplomat Emilio Pevida stated that they have endured "a hell" in recent days following the fall of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, whose family had been in power for over 50 years in the Arab nation.
The evacuation occurs at a critical moment for Syria, whose regime was allied with its Cuban counterpart.
The evacuated group is now safe in Lebanon, from where their return to Cuba is expected.
The Cuban government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the evacuation, and it even took time to break its silence on the political situation in the country.
In a message posted on X, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel called for respect for the security of embassies located in the conflict zone: "I spoke today with our ambassador in the Arab Republic of Syria. We are concerned about the events occurring in this nation. We call for the preservation of Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, as well as the security of the diplomatic missions based there," he said.
Frequently asked questions about the evacuation of the Cuban Embassy in Syria and the position of the Cuban government
Why did the Cuban regime evacuate its embassy in Syria?
The Cuban regime decided to evacuate its diplomatic personnel due to the escalating violence and chaos in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. This situation made the safe presence of staff in Damascus unsustainable, so they were relocated to the Cuban Embassy in Lebanon.
What has been the Cuban government's reaction to the fall of Bashar al-Assad?
The Cuban government, after a prolonged silence, expressed its concern over the situation in Syria and called for the respect of sovereignty and the security of diplomatic missions. Its response has been viewed as lukewarm and delayed, possibly due to the close historical ties it maintained with the Assad regime.
How does the fall of Assad's regime affect Cuba's international relations?
The fall of Assad represents a significant diplomatic blow for Cuba, as it loses a crucial ally in its foreign policy. This could intensify its international isolation and negatively impact its relationships with other allies, such as Russia and Iran, who also supported the Syrian regime.
What does the absence of an official statement regarding the evacuation mean for Cuba?
The absence of an official statement regarding the evacuation reflects a lack of transparency and possible indecision on the part of the Cuban government in response to the situation in Syria. This silence may be interpreted as an attempt to avoid internal and external criticism regarding its handling of the crisis and its relationships with authoritarian regimes.
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