As previewed last night, when we reported that the US government would expel as many as 60% of Cuba's Washington Embassy staff, on Tuesday morning the Trump administration announced Tuesday it will expel 15 Cuban diplomats from the U.S. in response to months of mysterious “health attacks” that have affected American personnel in Havana. The State Department said that the decision was made due to "Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention."
A State Department official said the expulsions will ensure “we have equitable staffing levels” while still allowing the embassies to operate. The official would not confirm whether the percentage of Cubans expelled matches the U.S. staff cut in Havana. The Cuban officials were given seven days to leave Washington
The official also said the U.S. is maintaining diplomatic ties with Cuba, but warned Havana it will need its “full assurances” that U.S. diplomats will be protected in order to restore a full presence there.
“We have underscored repeatedly to the Cuban government its responsibility for the security, safety, [and] well-being” of our diplomats, the official said.
The announcement comes days after the U.S. pulled 60% of its embassy staff from the Cuban capital and is the latest sign of the worsening ties between the two former Cold War foes under President Trump.
As The Hill notes, the diplomatic tit-for-tat is a further blow to former President Obama’s effort to re-establish ties with Cuba after decades of isolation.
The move will likely please Cuban-American lawmakers in Washington, who have urged the Trump administration to expel Cuban diplomats over the attacks. But the emissaries are not being declared persona non grata, meaning they will avoid the most serious punishment for foreign diplomats.
On Tuesday, the State Department said that at least 22 U.S. embassy employees have been injured in the attacks. As reported previously, the affected diplomats had suffered loss of hearing, headaches and other symptoms. In response, the Cuban government denied it was behind any attack and has pledged to investigate the incidents. But so far, no culprit has been named. The Trump administration has not blamed the Castro government, but has repeatedly stated it bears responsibility for stopping them.
In addition to the embassy drawdown, the Trump administration has stopped issuing visas for Cubans seeking to visit the U.S. and issued a travel warning for Americans who want to visit Cuba. The U.S. also expelled two other Cuban diplomats in May over the attacks.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Havana have repeatedly flared under Trump, who has been eager to undo the detente achieved between Havana and the Trump administration. Over the summer, the president rolled back part of Obama’s Cuba policy, which he criticized as a “one-sided deal.” Cuban officials have predictably warned the move would damage relations between the two nations.
Comments
OK, OK.Maybe my buddy Putin DID have something to do with this one.
Health attack?Did the excorts have crabs?
In reply to OK, OK. Maybe my buddy Putin by wisehiney
Sonic attack -> Health attack
In reply to Health attack? Did the by svayambhu108
They didn't protect US spies?
In reply to Sonic attack -> Health attack by peddling-fiction
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In reply to They didn't protect US spies? by LastLegion
Oh, so the Vienna treaty counts now does it?Cut the hypocrisy with a knife...
In reply to They didn't protect US spies? by LastLegion
Like hell, the technology is made in the USA and what better way for the deep state within the CIA to sabotage and put the mockers on any improvement of relations with Cuba decided by the State Department who are not supporting the MIC gravy train. CIA elements probably have some distance and deniability by subcontracting to their Cuban mafia friends in Florida. But it's still green on green just like Al Qaeda or ISIS.My guess, covert deep state Vs. State dept., and TPTB know only too well, but the internal struggle goes on behind the curtain.
In reply to OK, OK. Maybe my buddy Putin by wisehiney
Or too much Cohiba's and rum.
In reply to OK, OK. Maybe my buddy Putin by wisehiney
That’s a more likely scenario.
At least it would be for me.
In reply to Or too much Cohiba's and rum. by man from glad
mass hysteria
Thanks to Hurricane IRMA, the U.S. Embassy was flooded and is contaminated with sewer and black mold now. Because Russia. Oye vey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl7zYJqXz80
"Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Havana have repeatedly flared under Trump, who has been eager to undo the detente achieved between Havana and the Trump administration". Shouldn't this read: "Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Havana have repeatedly flared under Trump, who has been eager to undo the detente achieved between Havana and the Obama administration"?
You’re a goddamned nit picker!
Facts, facts, facts, everything’s got to be just perfect for your little fact based reality, eh?
In reply to "Meanwhile, tensions between by digitlman
"...the diplomatic tit-for-tat...." tit-for-tat???? the us pulls their personnel from cuba. then the us expels cubans. i see the tit, in fact i seetwo tits.....but no tats. what idiot writed this shit?
Indeed!Moreover, it's quite ironic that the US State Department now implicitly endorses Russia's justification of expelling almost 500 US diplomats (to reduce US staffing levels in Russia, to the Russian ones in the US): "A State Department official said the expulsions will ensure “we have equitable staffing levels” while still allowing the embassies to operate."
In reply to "...the diplomatic by Stinkytofu
Yesterday, the Russian San Francisco Consulate property lock was breached by the US gov.Very illegal, and a move that sets a nasty precedent for diplomatic security and integrity.
In reply to Indeed! Moreover, it's quite by Hans-Zandvliet
But...but it is the Vienna Convention from Australia. It does not rule in San Francisco and Havana.
In reply to Yesterday, the Russian San by peddling-fiction
The phrase "in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention"does not apply to the United States. A criminal RICO enterprise that wants others to follow the law.
In reply to Yesterday, the Russian San by peddling-fiction
Yeah: stealing Russian diplomatic real estate and propperty is no problem at all for the Washington regime, but those damn commies in Cuba keep breaking the Vienna Convention!
In reply to The phrase "in accordance by junction
The saga of the incredible shrinking American penis continues.
There has been no evidence Cuba was behind the "attacks". If they had nothing to do with it, it would be difficult to expect them to "take appropriate steps" to protect diplomats. However, if it was some kind of system used for eavesdropping or jamming, Cuba or an ally would be suspect. There would be no rational motive for simply harming diplomats.
"However, if it was some kind of system used for eavesdropping or jamming, Cuba or an ally would be suspect." you don't think "some kind of system" might have recently been installed by us contractorswithin the us embassy compound?
In reply to There has been no evidence by MrBoompi
Besides, what motive could Cuba possibly have to harm US diplomats. After nearly 60 years without diplomatic ties with the US, its firts diplomats arrive and Cuba immediately starts to mysteriously torture them in their sleep? Get real! If Cuba didn't want to reestablish diplomatic ties, the only thing they needed to do under Obama was "nothing"! Having taken the actions to reestablish diplomatic ties, proves they thought it useful to do so, in which case they would not have any motives to subsequently make US diplomats' lives miserable.Neither can I see the possible installation of systems for eavesdropping as a cause for health problems. Those systems are based on reiceiving signals; not emitting them (if only to avoid detection). So how could an eavesdropping system cause any healthcare issues???Jamming systems: jamming what? Jamming communications with Washington. First, Washington didn't complain about communications having been jammed, so rule that one out too. Moreover: why jamming anything in the first place? With what motive would Cuba want to reestablish diplomatic ties with the US, to then jam US diplomats'communications with their capital? It makes as little sense as the lazy Holiwood scripts of a bad quality action film in which logic and coherance are sacrificed in favour of more action scenes and special effects.Another false flag operation by the Deep-State (in this case, installing harmful emitter equipment in their own embassy, to accuse Cuba of targeting their diplomats) to sabotage any detente with any country in order to optimise tensions anywhere in the world, so as to maximize profits for the military-industrial complex, seems the most plausible explanation.
In reply to There has been no evidence by MrBoompi
Again: punitive actions on the basis of totally unsubstantiated acusations: "the affected diplomats had suffered loss of hearing, headaches and other symptoms."But America's punitive actions on the basis of totally unsubstantiated acusations have become the new normal: Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, conquest of the Crimea and election meddling in the US; Sadam Husein's WMD; Gadaffi's genocide on his own people; Assad's use of chemical weapons; Iran being the biggest supporter of international terrorism (excuse me: who is supporting Al-Quaeda and IS, and who is fighting it?) and Kim Jong-un's secret plans to destroy the USA (imagine the mouse that roared!).Fortunately those are just the symptoms of a world hegemon in its death-throes. It will soon be over (a few more years at most) and then the US will have to abide by international law again like any other country.Meanwhile, I can think of some plausible explanations for the US diplomats' problems:
Right"totally unsubstantiated", yup thoise people with hearing loss and brain damage are just making it up..umm hmm you fucking dink btw, the Yuri Bezmenov decribed "DemoraLIZTION ACT" AINT CUTTING IT YOU DOUCHE..MOVE ON Yes, I am sure that Putin would be perfectly fine if that happened to his personnel in another country right, i mean its all "unsubstaiated" fucking hypocrite fuckIf the US is so "weak" then challenge America directly instead of being a sackless pussy that beats about their own bush..fuck you A direct challenge will not go so well for you clearlyIf Cuba isnt acting alone, at a aminimum they sure helped to facilitate these attacks..fuck them fuck their 50's cars, and now you aint gonna get any of the US Moneymaybe its time for blockade II shut the entire pos island completely off then see what happens Great move Castro..Fidel would be proud comrade
In reply to Again: punitive actions on by Hans-Zandvliet
The only thing you seem to be capable of is to brag and to bluster and to use bad language.However, just like your regime in Washington, you don't seem to care much about abiding by international law and common norms of civilized behaviour among nations. For example: who gives the Washington regime the right to start a Cuban Blockade II? (By the way, it would hardly be necesary, because the equally illegal Blockade I is still largely in place.)Also, you don't seem to care much about the logic of it all: means, motive and opportunity. Explain to me, with what plausible motive would Cuba first want to reestablish diplomatic ties, to then torture the recently arrived US diplomats in their sleep? Which goal could Cuba possibly be seeking to achieve with such irrational behaviour? (By the way, simply stating that "Raul Castro is crazy", is NOT a plausible explanation.)So if you feel capable to answer without using bad language, please do so and try to be rational about it.
In reply to Right "totally by SHADEWELL
"my regime in Washington"I did not realize that it was MY regime... Why would Cuba do this...hmm because Obabma is out and Trump was already placing restriction upon previous "advances" now making the US not a "useful mouthpiece" for Cuba, so Raoul turns to Putin, and says Vlad, We gots this sit she ation...what think you? Vlad remember the raoring 50's when y'all were going to make Cuba part of the mother land, well we want to revisit that, and so I understand that the CIA would probably be an inconvenient presence, so lets say you and I hatch a plan to rid the island of these folks maybe a little somethin like that
In reply to The only thing you seem to be by Hans-Zandvliet
There was no invasion of the Ukraine. When you say conquest of the Crimea you must mean when 96% of the people voted in a referendum to rejoin their Motherland.
In reply to Again: punitive actions on by Hans-Zandvliet
Hey brother, I was talking about America's unsubstantiated accusations, not about the facts you state.Read more carefully and try to avoid "friendly fire" on allied positions, please ;-)
In reply to There was no invasion of the by Mike Masr
My sincerest apology to you.
In reply to Hey brother, I was talking by Hans-Zandvliet
get the fuck out These are the same fucking cocksuckers tht Obama urged us to "befriend" Eat shit Castro
MOAR bad language for lack of proper arguments.I wonder if you have two brain cells on active duty to rub together.
In reply to get the fuck out These are by SHADEWELL
what the fuck is wrong with his language? he used the proper sentence structure. tell us please, of what fucking language you speak?oh yeah. i don't use capitals. try typing with rheumatoid arthritis in your pinky.
In reply to MOAR bad language for lack of by Hans-Zandvliet
Politics as a crime sceneCuba has no motiveAhhhh.. THIS incident is NOT a US deep State false flag
"Cuba has no motive"I guess sucking Russia's cock doesnt qualify...they picked the wrong side, and will pay dearly
In reply to Politics as a crime by seataka
MOAR bad language for lack of proper arguments.I wonder if you have two brain cells on active duty to rub together.
In reply to "Cuba has no motive" I guess by SHADEWELL
"Hans"That is quite humorous coming from a one celled "organism" like yourself... I have forgotten more than your damaged one celled "intelligence" will ever accumulate in your useless lifetime
In reply to MOAR bad language for lack of by Hans-Zandvliet
"Hans"That is quite humorous coming from a one celled "organism" like yourself... I have forgotten more than your damaged one celled "intelligence" will ever accumulate in your useless lifetime
In reply to MOAR bad language for lack of by Hans-Zandvliet
Clever boy - Why did the USA help and arm Suharto exterminate 3 million suspected "communists"?
In reply to "Hans" That is quite humorous by SHADEWELL
If the Cubans had such technology, they surely would bring tinnitus to Guantanamo until it is cleared.
In reply to Politics as a crime by seataka
No one who works in a US embassy can be trusted.
American spies in Cuba were activating microwave listening devises , they fried their brains and now they are blaming Cuba. I think Cuba should kick the us out and close the embassy, Russia and China will be more than glad to send their tourists to Cuba.
Trust me, there's plenty of Russian and Chinese tourist in Cuba right now as we speak.
In reply to American spies in Cuba were by Davidduke2000
With some island building equipment, I suppose.
In reply to Trust me, there's plenty of by Rusty Shorts
I blame Fredo Corleone ...he knew what was up but didn't tell Mike