This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41490357

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
US Cuba: Washington expels diplomats over 'acoustic attacks' US Cuba: Washington expels diplomats over 'acoustic attacks'
(about 5 hours later)
The US has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats, saying Havana failed to protect US diplomats from mysterious acoustic attacks.The US has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats, saying Havana failed to protect US diplomats from mysterious acoustic attacks.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the move "unacceptable".Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the move "unacceptable".
The Department of State move follows last week's US withdrawal of more than half of its own diplomats from the Cuban capital.The Department of State move follows last week's US withdrawal of more than half of its own diplomats from the Cuban capital.
Nearly two dozen US personnel have suffered unexplained ill health in the city.Nearly two dozen US personnel have suffered unexplained ill health in the city.
"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. This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement on Tuesday."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. This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Cuban diplomats have been given seven days to leave.The Cuban diplomats have been given seven days to leave.
Mr Rodriguez said the move was "unjustified".Mr Rodriguez said the move was "unjustified".
At least 21 people working at the US's embassy in Cuba have reported health problems, ranging from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.At least 21 people working at the US's embassy in Cuba have reported health problems, ranging from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.
Earlier reports suggested sonic attacks were to blame, but nothing has been proven.Earlier reports suggested sonic attacks were to blame, but nothing has been proven.
Cuba denies targeting embassy staff, and the US has not blamed the country's government for the suspected attacks.Cuba denies targeting embassy staff, and the US has not blamed the country's government for the suspected attacks.
Analysis: More strain on damaged relationsAnalysis: More strain on damaged relations
By Will Grant, BBC News, HavanaBy Will Grant, BBC News, Havana
The US State Department's decision will only further strain the much-damaged relations between the two countries. A senior State Department official has argued that this move means that Cuba's embassy in Washington was now reduced by a similar percentage as the US mission in Havana. The Cuban response to the Trump Administration's decision to expel two-thirds of its diplomatic staff from Washington was predictably outraged. The US had been "irresponsible" and "hasty" the island's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, insisting that the State Department hadn't provided "a shred of evidence" as to the harm caused to US diplomats in the alleged attacks.
The Cuban Government, however, is unlikely to see it that way. They consider the initial decision to remove US staff from the island as "hasty" and said it would affect bilateral relations. Cuban doctors had not had any access to either the victims or the US medical staff attending to them, Mr Rodriuguez added.
The biggest casualties in all of this will probably be ordinary Cubans. The issuing of visas to travel to the US has been suspended until further notice and the Cuban embassy will struggle to carry out its other normal consular functions too. Cuba-US relations are at a low ebb once again, almost completely erasing all the goodwill built up over the Obama presidency in a matter of months.
Millions of Cuban families are caught in the middle with visas for Cuban visitors to the United States suspended. The only glimmer of hope is that relations haven't been broken altogether and that the Cubans reiterated their willingness to work with the Americans to find a solution.
"We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to co-operate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks," Mr Tillerson added in his latest statement."We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to co-operate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks," Mr Tillerson added in his latest statement.
Last week US officials said: "We don't know the means, the methods or how the attacks are being carried out."Last week US officials said: "We don't know the means, the methods or how the attacks are being carried out."
Cuba mystery attacksCuba mystery attacks