Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, announced that 15 officials were removed from the Cuban Embassy in Washington as a result of Cuba’s inability to protect U.S. diplomats in the Havana attacks. He added that the decision will help “ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations.” The U.S. recently ordered a number of its diplomats to return home, whereas the expulsion of Cuban diplomats is intended to correspond with staff reductions in the American Embassy.
The U.S. Embassy staff was allegedly the target of health attacks in Havana which resulted in the sickening of 22 U.S. diplomats. It still remains unclear why some of the personnel developed symptoms such as hearing loss. The FBI, together with law enforcement agencies in Cuba, is currently working on discovering those responsible for the attacks and on preventing them from striking again, reports Los Angeles Times.
The Cuban diplomats are to leave the United States within a week. The expulsion, said a State Department official, who also urged Cuba to do something regarding the attacks, does not affect bilateral relations. However, this move will decrease the Embassy workforce by 60 percent, which in turn may affect its capability to function.
The expulsion infuriated Cuban officials who believe it to be unfounded and unreasonable. Bruno Rodriguez, the Cuban Foreign Minister, asserted that Cuba “has never perpetrated, nor will it ever perpetrate attacks of any sort against diplomatic officials.” The head of American affairs in the Ministry, Josefina Vidal is convinced the decision will influence relations with the U.S.
Since relations between Washington and Havana were restored, they have collaborated on certain issues and have seen a boost in tourism.
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