Washington: The United States is cutting its diplomatic presence in Havana by more than a half and will warn U.S. citizens not to visit Cuba because of targeted attacks that have injured at least 21 U.S. personnel, a senior official said on Friday.
"Until the government of Cuba can assure the United States of the safety of U.S. government personnel in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel so as to minimize the number of U.S. government personnel at risk of exposure," a senior State Department official told reporters.
"Routine visa operations are suspended indefinitely," said the official, who like others on a conference call with reporters spoke on condition of anonymity. He said non-essential embassy staff would be withdrawn as well as all family members.
U.S. and congressional officials told Reuters on Thursday Washington was crafting a plan for a drawdown of staff from the Havana embassy in response to unexplained incidents that have harmed the health of some U.S. diplomats there.
The Cuban government has denied any role and is investigating. But it has so far said it has been unable to determine the cause.
The senior State Department official said that neither the United States nor Cuban governments had been able to identify who was responsible for the attacks but stressed that "the government of Cuba is responsible for taking all appropriate steps to prevent attacks on our diplomatic personnel in Cuba."
The partial evacuation, while depicted as a safety measure, may send a message of U.S. displeasure over Cuba's handling of the matter and deliver another blow to former U.S. President Barack Obama's policies of engagement with Cold War foe Cuba.
Though Washington has not cast direct blame on Cuban authorities, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reminded Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Washington on Tuesday of Cuba's obligation to protect diplomats and their families.
The symptoms of the 21 U.S. embassy personnel harmed included "hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, balance problems, visual complaints, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping," the senior State Department official said.
"Because our personnel's safety is at risk and we are unable to identify the source of the attack, we believe that U.S. citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba," the official added.
(Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Grant McCool)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Until the government of Cuba can assure the United States of the safety of U.S. government personnel in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel so as to minimize the number of U.S. government personnel at risk of exposure," a senior State Department official told reporters.
"Routine visa operations are suspended indefinitely," said the official, who like others on a conference call with reporters spoke on condition of anonymity. He said non-essential embassy staff would be withdrawn as well as all family members.
The Cuban government has denied any role and is investigating. But it has so far said it has been unable to determine the cause.
Advertisement
The partial evacuation, while depicted as a safety measure, may send a message of U.S. displeasure over Cuba's handling of the matter and deliver another blow to former U.S. President Barack Obama's policies of engagement with Cold War foe Cuba.
Advertisement
The symptoms of the 21 U.S. embassy personnel harmed included "hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, balance problems, visual complaints, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping," the senior State Department official said.
Advertisement
(Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Grant McCool)
© Thomson Reuters 2017
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
India, US To Establish Gandhi-King Development Foundation By October Syrian Man Arrested After Shooting Near US Embassy In Lebanon Capital US Continues To Offer Welcoming Environment To Indian Students: US Academician Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Opposes Karnataka's Job Quota Bill, Minister Responds "Meat, Potatoes" Guy Who Cooks Indian Food: JD Vance's Wife Describes Him Bihar Leader's Father Murdered Over Rs 1 Lakh He Lent, Key Accused Arrested "Press Button To Die": Switzerland To Soon Use Portable Suicide Pods Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.