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The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, drew criticism this week after referring to the President of the Republic of Cyprus as the “leader of Greek Cyprus” during remarks following a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
The comment has sparked concerns in the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south, where officials and analysts say the phrasing appeared to imply a division of the island into Greek and Turkish sectors, undermining the authority of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state.
It remains unclear whether Holguin misspoke or whether the wording reflects a deliberate shift in diplomatic tone, potentially signaling equivalence between the Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway administration in the Turkish-occupied north, recognized only by Ankara.
In the north, where Turkish Cypriots maintain a self-declared state, nationalist groups celebrated Holguin’s comment on social media.
“The UN is correcting its mistake on Cyprus,” one post read, following her meeting with Tatar. “Maria Holguin’s statement was an acknowledgment of the two equal sides of the island and a step toward neutral language by the UN.”
Cyprus has been divided since a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a coup backed by Greece. Numerous UN-led efforts to reunify the island have failed, and the political language used by international actors remains highly sensitive.
UN CORRECT ITS CYPRUS MISTAKE: Refers to Christodoulides as “Leader of Greek Cyprus”
— Y.T.C (@Young_Turk_Cyp) May 26, 2025
After meeting TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Maria Holguín’s statement was an acknowledgment of the island’s two equal sides and a step back toward neutral UN language. pic.twitter.com/IONvNnsRr4
