Closure of US mission in Cuba mulled over ‘sonic attacks’

New York: The United States may again close its embassy in Cuba, which reopened two years ago after a half-century standoff, following a series of mysterious “health attacks” on its diplomats, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.

At least 21 members of the US mission in Havana and a smaller number of Canadians have suffered brain injuries and hearing loss in what have been reported as “acoustic attacks”, although US officials say their origin remains unclear.

The incidents began last year, and the latest was recorded in August, despite US authorities having complained to Cuban officials in February and having expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington in May. Some of those hurt were evacuated to Florida and some treated in place.

The mission remains open, and US officials have warned that Cuba is responsible for the safety of diplomats on its soil, without accusing them directly.

With the injury toll continuing to rise, and no explanation for what Washington has called an “unprecedented incident”, some US lawmakers have called for the embassy to be closed down once again.

Asked about this on the CBS news show Face the Nation on Sunday, Tillerson did not rule this out.

“We have it under evaluation. It’s a very serious issue with respect to the harm that certain individuals have suffered,” he said.

“We’ve brought some of those people home. It’s under review.”

US officials have told reporters they believe some kind of sonic device was used to covertly undermine the health of staff members at the mission, who began reporting sick last year.

The American Foreign Service Association – the labour union representing US diplomats – spoke to 10 of those who received treatment and said their diagnoses included mild traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss. — AFP