Cuban protesters living in Costa Rica rallied Saturday outside the Cuban Embassy in San José, denouncing repression on the island and backing Costa Rica’s decision this week to scale back diplomatic ties with Havana.
The demonstration was peaceful and focused on calls for freedom in Cuba, the release of political prisoners, and stronger international pressure on the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel. Protesters said Costa Rica’s recent move sent an important political message at a time when many Cubans say the island is facing deep economic hardship, political persecution, and forced migration.
The rally came just days after President Rodrigo Chaves announced that Costa Rica would close its embassy in Havana and reduce Cuba’s diplomatic presence in San José to consular functions. The Costa Rican government tied the decision to the humanitarian deterioration in Cuba and the conditions facing people on the island.
For Cubans gathered outside the embassy, the move was seen as a sign of support for those still living under the regime. Some demonstrators also called for the departure of Cuban diplomatic personnel from Costa Rica, arguing that San José should take an even firmer stance.
The protest unfolded against the backdrop of Cuba’s wider crisis, which has been marked by shortages, blackouts, and a continuing exodus of citizens. That reality has sharpened the political meaning of Costa Rica’s decision and added urgency to the demands raised by protesters in San José.
Havana responded angrily to Costa Rica’s move, calling it arbitrary and accusing San José of acting under pressure from the United States. Cuban authorities said the measure would not break the ties between the peoples of Cuba and Costa Rica, even as diplomatic tensions rose.
Still, Saturday’s rally showed how closely the Cuban community in Costa Rica is following events on the island. For those gathered outside the embassy, the message was clear: the crisis in Cuba is not only a diplomatic issue between governments, but a personal and political struggle that continues to echo far beyond the island.
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