The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, proposed on April 17 the closure of the Dutch embassy in Havana and in other countries as part of a budget-cutting plan.
The proposal was sent in an official letter to the President of the Dutch House of Representatives.
Closure of diplomatic missions
The closure of the embassy in Cuba is part of a broader plan to reduce the budget allocated to embassies, general consulates, and other representations of the Netherlands abroad by 10%.
Veldkamp announced his intention to close five embassies: in Bujumbura (Burundi), Havana (Cuba), Juba (South Sudan), Tripoli (Libya), and Yangon (Myanmar), as well as two general consulates in Antwerp (Belgium) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
"These closures will significantly contribute to the necessary budget cuts within the mission network," explained the chancellor.
In a later phase, this will be joined by the potential closure of four other locations, determined by geopolitical and economic factors.
Veldkamp indicated that, although some diplomatic missions will be closed, the opening of new representations is also being considered, for example in Syria, depending on the evolving context in that country.
The minister detailed that the decision-making process considered multiple factors, such as the Dutch interests in each nation, the available “margin of action,” and the operational costs.
In the specific case of Havana, Yangon, and Tripoli, the effectiveness of maintaining a diplomatic presence in those cities was questioned.
Among the evaluated aspects were the bilateral relations, security, trade, international development, consular services, and the specific characteristics of each mission.
The plan would allow for an estimated structural saving of around 25 million euros. At the same time, reducing staff at other embassies and consulates is being considered to protect Dutch interests within the framework of austerity.
The local newspaper De Telegraaf reported on the official letter, although it did not provide any anticipated date for the closure of the diplomatic offices.
Until April 19, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Cuba has not issued official statements on its social media - neither on X nor on Facebook - regarding the possible closure.
In recent days, perhaps as a farewell, the chargé d'affaires of the Dutch embassy welcomed their European counterparts on the island to present the activities that will take place as part of the Month of Europe in Cuba.
An uncomfortable diplomatic headquarters for the Cuban government
In recent years, this diplomatic mission has been one of the most active in the promotion of civil society in Cuba, supporting activists, independent journalists, and artistic initiatives of a dissenting nature.
The Embassy of the Netherlands has funded exhibitions, theater productions, conferences, and films, especially through the Go Cuba Cinema program.
Additionally, it has supported projects focused on themes such as gender-based violence, circular agriculture, water, cycling, music, ecology, and literature.
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