US probes latest health ‘attacks’ in Cuba visit

WASHINGTON: Recent mystery illnesses that have injured 26 US diplomatic personnel and their families in Cuba have prompted a surprise visit by three senior State Department officials to the communist island nation.

The apparent victims of what Washington has called sonic “attacks” have suffered symptoms consistent with mild brain trauma – including, in some cases, disorientation and hearing loss.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Francisco Palmieri, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Management William Todd and Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security Michael Evanoff travelled to Havana to “visit embassy personnel in light of new health attacks against US diplomats at Embassy Havana,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Although the length of the trip was not revealed, CBS News reported that they left Cuba on Tuesday.

“The trip provided an opportunity for our senior officials to gain deeper insight into the unique challenges posed by these attacks and their impact on US operations on the ground,” the US official said.

In June, the State Department indicated that two US diplomats experienced the previous month similar health ailments at an American diplomatic residence where they were both present.

The two cases were the first in Havana since August 2017, bringing the total to 26.

The ailments first began in late 2016.