After 123 years, Belgium is closing its embassy in Havana, justifying the move as a "reorientation" in turbulent times. Those who see beyond the diplomatic smokescreen observe a break with previous policy and a capitulation to Washington.
It was like a bolt from the blue. On the morning of Friday, November 14, the news announced that the Belgian embassy in Havana was going to close. Maxime Prévot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained the decision as follows: “Trade and tariff wars are forcing us to review our network of partners and diversify our reach and influence. (…) Armed conflicts are increasing, reaching Europe’s borders and prompting a profound reorientation of several strategic economic sectors. Globally, development cooperation is facing cuts, which, in addition to geopolitical factors, compels us to review our way of working.”
Relations cool down
Belgium has maintained an embassy in Cuba since 1902. Cuba is a popular tourist destination for Belgians. Politically, relations between Belgium and Cuba have always been open and respectful. This contrasts with other European countries that traditionally follow the United States' lead.
Belgium has played a positive role for many years in maintaining and improving diplomatic relations between the European Union and Cuba. Thus, our country maintained its good relations with Havana, even when the EU adopted a common position on Cuba in 1996 that linked cooperation to 'democracy and human rights,' according to Western criteria, of course. In reality, this was a right-wing maneuver to exert pressure in Europe, in addition to the US embargo, regarding relations with Cuba.
This common position was formally withdrawn in December 2016 and replaced by the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The PDCA continues to address human rights and democracy but guarantees closer cooperation in areas such as trade and development. Belgium was a major proponent of the PDCA, which earned it privileged collaboration with Havana.
The strong cooperation between Brussels and Havana has resulted, among other things, in support for NGOs, cultural organizations, and universities developing joint projects. For example, there is a long-standing and flourishing university cooperation between Cuban universities and the VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity Council).
Another good example is the 'Belgian Week' cultural event held annually in Havana, whose twentieth edition took place from November 5 to 14, 2025. It is clear that all of this will be affected by the closure of the Belgian embassy in that country.
The closure of the embassy complicates any administrative procedures that Belgians residing in Cuba and Cubans living in Belgium need to carry out. Furthermore, the Belgian embassy in Havana also handles relations with Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as relations between Luxembourg and Cuba.
Following in the footsteps of the United States
It cannot be a coincidence that on the same day that Foreign Minister Prévot announced the reorganization of the Belgian diplomatic landscape, a publication appeared in X praising Belgian-American friendship.
I quote verbatim: “The friendship between Belgium and the United States is deep, sincere, and enduring. It is rooted in a history characterized by courage and solidarity. That history continues to inspire our partnership today, as we face together the challenges of a constantly changing world.”
There is likely a connection between the increasingly stringent US economic, financial, and commercial embargo against Cuba and the withdrawal of our ambassador from Havana. Today, it is virtually impossible to trade with Cuba normally. International payments have become almost impossible since the United States added Cuba to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Our banks are simply complying with US sanctions and rejecting any transfer they suspect is destined for or related to Cuba. They do this despite violating both European regulations and Belgian law.
For its part, the government has no intention of doing anything about it. This is clear from the response of the relevant minister, Jambon, to parliamentary questions from Els Van Hoof (Christian Democratic Party) and Meyrem Almachi (Green Party). The result is that, from a commercial standpoint, Belgian businesses "don't have much to gain" from this.
This "friendship" with the United States is also reflected in the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria, after a thirteen-year hiatus, just after the visit of former jihadist and current Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa to the White House. Belgium has announced it will send an ambassador back to Syria, despite the fact that the human rights situation under the new Syrian regime is, to put it mildly, controversial.
The Belgian embassy in Cuba is closed while the one in Syria is opened. That speaks volumes. Furthermore, the closure of the Belgian embassy in Havana comes at a time when the United States is initiating a veritable military escalation in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on November 13th a major military operation called 'Operation Southern Spear'.
With this 'Operation Southern Spear', the United States aims to "defend the homeland and eliminate narco-terrorists." As part of this 'war on drugs', the world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is currently deployed there. It is roughly the size of three football fields and has a capacity for 4,500 crew members and 75 fighter jets and helicopters.
This aircraft carrier joins the fleet of seven warships and a nuclear submarine already stationed there since August. Since September, the United States has carried out at least 20 attacks against vessels in the Caribbean Sea. At least 80 people have lost their lives in these attacks.
According to the United States, they are drug traffickers, but they have not yet provided any evidence to support this claim. According to Colombia and Venezuela, they are civilian fishing vessels.
Wrong signal
On November 9, 2025, the EU and the 33 member states of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) signed a final declaration in which both blocs affirmed Latin America and the Caribbean as a 'zone of peace'. This means that conflicts are resolved through mediation and based on international law. The final declaration makes explicit reference to the situation in the Caribbean Sea.
Clearly, the closure of the embassy in Havana sends the wrong message at a time when we should be strengthening our international relations within the framework of protecting peace in the region.
By aligning itself more with the United States, it is noticeable how the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) party is imprinting its right-wing stamp on this government.
Katrien Demuynck is a member of the Belgian chapter of the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in defense of humanity.
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Belgium bows down to Washington: closes its embassy in Cuba after 123 years
https://www.cubainformacion.tv/opinion/20251119/119141/119141-belgica-se-arrodilla-ante-washington-cierra-su-embajada-en-cuba-tras-123-anosAfter 123 years, Belgium is closing its embassy in Havana, justifying the move as a "reorientation" in turbulent times. Those who see beyond the diplomatic smokescreen observe a break with previous policy and a capitulation to Washington.
It was like a bolt from the blue. On the morning of Friday, November 14, the news announced that the Belgian embassy in Havana was going to close. Maxime Prévot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained the decision as follows: “Trade and tariff wars are forcing us to review our network of partners and diversify our reach and influence. (…) Armed conflicts are increasing, reaching Europe’s borders and prompting a profound reorientation of several strategic economic sectors. Globally, development cooperation is facing cuts, which, in addition to geopolitical factors, compels us to review our way of working.”
Relations cool down
Belgium has maintained an embassy in Cuba since 1902. Cuba is a popular tourist destination for Belgians. Politically, relations between Belgium and Cuba have always been open and respectful. This contrasts with other European countries that traditionally follow the United States' lead.
Belgium has played a positive role for many years in maintaining and improving diplomatic relations between the European Union and Cuba. Thus, our country maintained its good relations with Havana, even when the EU adopted a common position on Cuba in 1996 that linked cooperation to 'democracy and human rights,' according to Western criteria, of course. In reality, this was a right-wing maneuver to exert pressure in Europe, in addition to the US embargo, regarding relations with Cuba.
This common position was formally withdrawn in December 2016 and replaced by the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The PDCA continues to address human rights and democracy but guarantees closer cooperation in areas such as trade and development. Belgium was a major proponent of the PDCA, which earned it privileged collaboration with Havana.
The strong cooperation between Brussels and Havana has resulted, among other things, in support for NGOs, cultural organizations, and universities developing joint projects. For example, there is a long-standing and flourishing university cooperation between Cuban universities and the VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity Council).
Another good example is the 'Belgian Week' cultural event held annually in Havana, whose twentieth edition took place from November 5 to 14, 2025. It is clear that all of this will be affected by the closure of the Belgian embassy in that country.
The closure of the embassy complicates any administrative procedures that Belgians residing in Cuba and Cubans living in Belgium need to carry out. Furthermore, the Belgian embassy in Havana also handles relations with Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as relations between Luxembourg and Cuba.
Following in the footsteps of the United States
It cannot be a coincidence that on the same day that Foreign Minister Prévot announced the reorganization of the Belgian diplomatic landscape, a publication appeared in X praising Belgian-American friendship.
I quote verbatim: “The friendship between Belgium and the United States is deep, sincere, and enduring. It is rooted in a history characterized by courage and solidarity. That history continues to inspire our partnership today, as we face together the challenges of a constantly changing world.”
There is likely a connection between the increasingly stringent US economic, financial, and commercial embargo against Cuba and the withdrawal of our ambassador from Havana. Today, it is virtually impossible to trade with Cuba normally. International payments have become almost impossible since the United States added Cuba to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Our banks are simply complying with US sanctions and rejecting any transfer they suspect is destined for or related to Cuba. They do this despite violating both European regulations and Belgian law.
For its part, the government has no intention of doing anything about it. This is clear from the response of the relevant minister, Jambon, to parliamentary questions from Els Van Hoof (Christian Democratic Party) and Meyrem Almachi (Green Party). The result is that, from a commercial standpoint, Belgian businesses "don't have much to gain" from this.
This "friendship" with the United States is also reflected in the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria, after a thirteen-year hiatus, just after the visit of former jihadist and current Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa to the White House. Belgium has announced it will send an ambassador back to Syria, despite the fact that the human rights situation under the new Syrian regime is, to put it mildly, controversial.
The Belgian embassy in Cuba is closed while the one in Syria is opened. That speaks volumes. Furthermore, the closure of the Belgian embassy in Havana comes at a time when the United States is initiating a veritable military escalation in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on November 13th a major military operation called 'Operation Southern Spear'.
With this 'Operation Southern Spear', the United States aims to "defend the homeland and eliminate narco-terrorists." As part of this 'war on drugs', the world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is currently deployed there. It is roughly the size of three football fields and has a capacity for 4,500 crew members and 75 fighter jets and helicopters.
This aircraft carrier joins the fleet of seven warships and a nuclear submarine already stationed there since August. Since September, the United States has carried out at least 20 attacks against vessels in the Caribbean Sea. At least 80 people have lost their lives in these attacks.
According to the United States, they are drug traffickers, but they have not yet provided any evidence to support this claim. According to Colombia and Venezuela, they are civilian fishing vessels.
Wrong signal
On November 9, 2025, the EU and the 33 member states of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) signed a final declaration in which both blocs affirmed Latin America and the Caribbean as a 'zone of peace'. This means that conflicts are resolved through mediation and based on international law. The final declaration makes explicit reference to the situation in the Caribbean Sea.
Clearly, the closure of the embassy in Havana sends the wrong message at a time when we should be strengthening our international relations within the framework of protecting peace in the region.
By aligning itself more with the United States, it is noticeable how the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) party is imprinting its right-wing stamp on this government.
Katrien Demuynck is a member of the Belgian chapter of the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in defense of humanity.
Original text: https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2025/11/17/belgische-knieval-voor-washington-ambassade-in-cuba-dicht-na-123-jaar
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