Politics

US plans to expel nearly two-thirds of Cuba's embassy staff

Key Points
  • The Trump administration will order nearly two-thirds of Cuba's diplomatic personnel to leave the United States, according to sources
  • The decision comes after months of mysterious "attacks" that have damaged the health of U.S. embassy staff in Havana
  • The U.S. State Department is expected to announce the expulsions as soon as Tuesday
A supporter waves a Cuban flag in front of the country's embassy after it re-opened for the first time in 54 years July 20, 2015 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson | Getty Images

The Trump administration will order nearly two-thirds of Cuba's diplomatic personnel to leave the United States after months of mysterious "attacks" that have damaged the health of U.S. embassy staff in Havana, according to a congressional source and a person familiar with
the plan.

The U.S. State Department is expected to announce the expulsions as soon as Tuesday, the sources said on Monday.

It follows an announcement on Friday that the United States was cutting its diplomatic presence in Cuba by more than half as it warned U.S. citizens not to visit because of unexplained incidents that have caused hearing loss, dizziness and fatigue among U.S. embassy personnel.

The latest plan was first reported by the Miami Herald, which cited a source as saying the expulsion of Cuban personnel was "reciprocity" for the U.S. drawdown from Havana.