Foreign Ministry set to retaliate after Cuba expels Czech diplomat over subversion claims

The first secretary of the Czech Embassy in Havana, Stanislav Kazecky, has been given three days to leave Cuba after local authorities refused to renew his visa, accusing him of subversive actions and working for the United States. The Czech Foreign Ministry has called on Cuba's charge d'affaires in Prague to explain the decision, which it regards as tantamount to expulsion. It said the move was clearly in response to the Czech Republic's policy of criticizing human rights abuses in Cuba and supporting the island state's opposition. Reuters reported that Mr Kazecky had close contacts with dissidents in Cuba.

A Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson said it would respond in kind by not renewing the visa of a Cuban diplomat in Prague next week. Tensions have been high between the two countries for some years.