Tillerson: Closing embassy in Havana is ‘under review’

Health ‘incidents’ are causing alarm

NEW YORK — The Trump administration is considering closing the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana following a string of unexplained incidents harming the health of American diplomats in Cuba, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday.

Tillerson’s comments were the strongest indication to date that the United States might mount a major diplomatic response. The two former foes reopened embassies in Washington and Havana in 2015 after a half-century of estrangement.

“We have it under evaluation,” Tillerson said of a possible closure. “It’s a very serious issue with respect to the harm that certain individuals have suffered. We’ve brought some of those people home. It’s under review.”

Of the 21 medically confirmed U.S. victims — diplomats and their families — some have permanent hearing loss or concussions, while others suffered nausea, headaches and earringing. Some are struggling with concentration or common word recall.

Some victims felt vibrations or heard loud sounds mysteriously audible in only parts of rooms, leading investigators to consider a potential “sonic attack.” Others heard nothing but later developed symptoms.

Tillerson once called the events “health attacks,” but the State Department has since used the term “incidents” while emphasizing that the U.S. still doesn’t know what has occurred. Cuba has denied any involvement or responsibility but stressed it’s eager to help resolve the matter.

The last reported incident was on Aug. 21, according to a U.S. official.

The U.S. hasn’t identified either a culprit or a device. Investigators have explored the possibility of sonic waves, an electromagnetic weapon, or an advanced spying operation gone awry, U.S. officials said. The U.S. hasn’t ruled out that a third country or a rogue faction of Cuba’s security services might be involved.

In Washington, lawmakers in Congress have raised alarms over the incidents, some calling for the embassy to be closed. On Friday, five Republican senators wrote Tillerson urging him to not only shut the embassy, but also kick all Cuban diplomats out of the United States.