Admin l Tuesday, October 03, 2017
WASHINGTON, United States – President Donald Trump of the United States has ordered expulsion of 15 Cuban officials from its embassy in Washington.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson said government made the decision due to Cuba’s failure to take appropriate steps to protect U.S diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention.
He said this order will ensure equity in the respective diplomatic operations.
Recall that on September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members following strange attack on its personnel in Havana until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of U.S diplomats in Cuba.
“We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks”, the U.S said.
See full statement below.
On October 3, the Department of State informed the Government of Cuba that it was ordering the departure of 15 of its officials from its embassy in Washington, D.C.
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.
On September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members. Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm.
We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks.
