Rubio, Colleagues Ask Tillerson to Expel Cubans, Close Embassy after Attacks on U.S. Diplomats

Press Release

Secretary Tillerson:

We write today concerning the injuries sustained by multiple U.S. diplomatic personnel posted to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Our officials and their families have been the targets of unacceptable levels of harassment and "acoustic" attacks that, in some cases, have caused permanent hearing damage and other significant injuries.

The safety of U.S. diplomatic personnel and their families posted overseas remains one of our high priorities and a shared responsibility of those nations that host U.S. diplomatic facilities. We urge you to remind the Cuban government of its obligation and to demand that it take verifiable action to remove these threats to our personnel and their families. Furthermore, we ask that you immediately declare all accredited Cuban diplomats in the United States persona non grata and, if Cuba does not take tangible action, close the U.S. Embassy in Havana.

Cuba's neglect of its duty to protect our diplomats and their families cannot go unchallenged. We appreciate your attention to this important national security matter and look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio

United States Senator

Tom Cotton

United States Senator

Richard Burr

United States Senator

John Cornyn

United States Senator

James Lankford

United States Senator

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