Cuba’s latest misdeeds

Cuba got short shrift in President Trump’s speech to the United Nations last week, but there is growing evidence it is on the administration’s radar screen — and not in a good way.

Trump called the current government of Raul Castro a “corrupt, destabilizing regime” and vowed, “We will not lift sanctions on the Cuban government until it makes fundamental reforms.”

And, he might have added, until it cooperates in the investigation of what caused 21 Americans assigned to the newly reopened embassy in Havana to be struck by a range of debilitating injuries thus far attributed to some kind of sonic bombardment.

Yes, that’s what Barack Obama got for his outreach to one of the world’s most repressive Communist regimes.

Beginning in late 2016, before Obama was out the door, diplomats assigned to the embassy began being plagued by a variety of illnesses — nausea, headaches, trouble concentrating or remembering words. Some have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss.

Among those stricken, according to a recent report by CBS News Radio, is the embassy’s top security officer, the person assigned to assuring the safety and security of the rest of the U.S. mission.

The diplomats have told investigators that the attacks have occurred at their homes — rented from the Cuban government — and at the government owned hotels where others are housed.

Raul Castro has denied any involvement and advanced the theory that a “rogue element” might be responsible.

Five Republican senators on the Intelligence Committee have called on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to expel all of Cuba’s diplomats in the U.S. (two “first secretaries” were ordered out last May) and consider closing the embassy in Havana.

Some have already been brought home, but closing the embassy, Tillerson has said, is “under review.” If Cuba can’t guarantee the basic safety of our diplomats, what really is the point?