Aug 9, 2017 - Politics & Policy

"Incidents" in Cuba lead to hearing loss for U.S. diplomats

Ramon Espinosa / AP

The United States has expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington after U.S. officials stationed at the American Embassy in Havana "reported incidents which have caused a variety of physical symptoms," per the AP.

  • The details: Some Americans posted at the embassy in Havana — who lived in housing owned and maintained by Cuba, as do all foreign diplomats — experienced mysterious symptoms that reportedly include potentially permanent hearing loss.
  • The cause: Though the investigation is still occurring, American investigators believe there's a possibility that the Cuban government — or someone sympathetic — may have placed devices that emitted sounds outside the range of human hearing inside or around the homes of those affected.
  • Why it matters: Trump already cancelled some portions of the détente that began under the Obama administration, and these allegations could cause the relationship to deteriorate further.
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