The State Department confirmed Friday that two additional U.S. diplomats were harmed by mysterious sonic attacks in Cuba.
A total of 24 people “were affected by incidents earlier this year,” up from 22 confirmed cases at the beginning of October. That number is subject to revision, because the ambiguous nature of the attacks and the symptoms they cause make it difficult to diagnose and treat, according to State Department officials.
“[The assessments] do not reflect new attacks,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. “As noted before, the most recent medically confirmed attack occurred near the end of August. Our personnel are receiving comprehensive medical evaluations and care. We can’t rule out additional new cases as medical professionals continue to evaluate members of the embassy community.”
The incidents have frayed the ties that former President Barack Obama sought to establish with Cuba following decades of antagonism. They began late in 2016 and continued for several months, causing American diplomats in Havana to suffer from an array of “cognitive issues” and even hearing loss. The State Department withdrew most American officials from Cuba, warned U.S. citizens against traveling on the island, and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States.
“This move does not signal a change of policy or a determination of responsibility for the attacks on U.S. government personnel in Cuba,” a State Department official told reporters in an October 3 briefing. “We are maintaining diplomatic relations with Havana. The decision on expulsions was taken due to Cuba’s inability to protect our diplomats in Havana, as well as to ensure equity in the impact on our respective operations.”
President Trump and some congressional leaders have been more pointed in their criticism of Raul Castro’s regime. “I do believe Cuba is responsible,” Trump told reporters Monday.
Lawmakers who received a classified briefing on the attacks exited with similar skepticism of Cuba’s role, particularly the regime’s willingness to protect American officials. “There may be some Cuban high officials, there may be some rogue elements [responsible],” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told the Washington Examiner. “Who knows? … We know they can figure out what’s happening.”
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Dela., made a similar observation. “Cuba is a very tightly controlled society with a very strong intelligence service and strong medical community,” he said. “I think the burden is on them to prove that they have no involvement in what is going on.”
Other Democratic proponents of Obama’s Cuba policy have been more critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw Americans from Havana.
“Despite the recent troubling and mysterious events, direct engagement remains the most effective tool for bringing positive change to Cuba,” Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said Wednesday after returning from a trip to the island. “The people of Cuba are changing Cuba, and the question for the United States is whether we will be a partner in that change or an obstacle in its path.”
On the other hand, Cuba hawks are urging Trump to maintain a tough line with U.S. policy, in bilateral relations and at the United Nations, which is expected to vote on a resolution condemning the U.S.-imposed embargo of the island.
“I respectfully urge you to direct the United States to vote against any U.N. General Assembly resolution demanding a change to this U.S. law,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wrote Friday to Trump. “While I recognize the U.N. General Assembly’s vote would be only symbolic, it would send the wrong message to human rights defenders and pro-democracy dissidents in Cuba.”
In the meantime, the State Department and other government officials lack Takano’s confidence about traveling to Cuba. “Let me put it this way: I don’t plan on traveling down there anytime soon,” Corker said. “Just based on what I know, both meeting privately with Tillerson and the briefing today, I have no plans to go to Cuba any time soon.”
