The U.S. is urging citizens not to travel to Cuba.
In a new warning published today, the State Department said:
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Cuba. Over the past several months, numerous U.S. Embassy Havana employees have been targeted in specific attacks. These employees have suffered significant injuries as a consequence of these attacks. Affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms including ear complaints and hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping."
The attacks against U.S. diplomats have occurred in Cuban hotels that are frequented by U.S. visitors and the cause remains under investigation.
The State Department warning also notes that "Because our personnel's safety is at risk, and we are unable to identify the source of the attacks, we believe U.S. citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba."
Today, the U.S. government ordered that non-essential personnel at the embassy leave Cuba and noted the reduction in staff means the embassy has limited resources to help U.S. citizens if a problem does arise.
The State Department recommends travelers visiting Cuba notify family and friends of their whereabouts at all times and keep in close contact with their travel agent as well as hotel staff.
At least 21 diplomats have suffered from attacks that have caused traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss. Investigators originally believed that the incidents were "sonic" in nature, but have not found evidence in hotels or residences searched during the investigation to back up the claim, says a report in the Chicago Tribune.
While this new warning is precautionary, it may further discourage people to travel to Cuba. In addition to the new warning, confusion remains as to the legal status of travel to Cuba.
On June 16, Donald Trump announced in Miami that he was "canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba." However, the policy has only been altered slightly.
The U.S. embassy in Cuba currently remains open and those who are willing to overlook the warning are still free to visit the country.
The Engage Cuba Coalition weighed in with its own statement on the closing of the U.S. embassy, noting that resolving the mystery surrounding these attacks is of the utmost importance.
"The safety and security of all diplomatic personnel in Cuba, and anywhere in the world, is the first priority of our country," said James Williams, president of Engage Cub.
"Whoever is behind these serious and inexcusable attacks on American diplomats must be apprehended and brought to justice," Williams continued. "We must be careful that our response does not play into the hands of the perpetrators of these attacks, who are clearly seeking to disrupt the process of normalizing relations between our two countries. This could set a dangerous precedent that could be used by our enemies around the world."
Williams also noted that Engage Cuba was concerned about how the cessation of visa issuance would affect the Cuban people and their families in the U.S. as well as the effects on Cuban society as a whole.
"The U.S. and Cuba must redouble efforts to solve this mystery as quickly as possible in order to keep our embassy personnel safe and continue to move forward with strengthening relations between our two countries," said Williams.
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