Canadian diplomat in Cuba treated for hearing loss, headaches

Record ID: 905920

  • Title: Canadian diplomat in Cuba treated for hearing loss, headaches
  • Date: 10th August 2017
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 10, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CANADIAN EMBASSY CANADIAN FLAG IN RAIN SIGN AT EMBASSY READING "EMBASSY OF CANADA" IN ENGLISH, FRENCH AND SPANISH ENTRANCE TO EMBASSY EMBASSY STAFF BEHIND GATE SIGN READING: "EMBASSY OF CANADA IMMIGRATION SECTION" IN ENGLISH, FRENCH AND SPANISH EXTERIOR OF IMMIGRATION SECTION OF EMBASSY EXTERIOR OF CANADIAN EMBASSY SIGN ON EMBASSY READING "CANADA" EXTERIOR OF CANADIAN EMBASSY
  • Embargoed: 24th August 2017 23:02
  • Keywords: Canadian diplomat headache hearing loss
  • Location: HAVANA, CUBA
  • City: HAVANA, CUBA
  • Country: Canada
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016TKRWAV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The Canadian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday (August 10) that it is investigating reports of a Canadian diplomat from its embassy in Havana suffering headaches and hearing loss. A day earlier, the U.S. reported that some of its diplomats had experienced similar symptoms.
    Canada's foreign ministry said it is working with U.S. and Cuban officials in the investigation.
    Cuba said on Wednesday (August 9) it was investigating allegations by the United States that unspecified "incidents" caused the physical symptoms in Americans serving at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, after two Washington-based Cuban diplomats were expelled. Havana said it had started a "comprehensive, priority and urgent investigation" into the alleged incidents after it had been informed of them by the embassy in February.
    A U.S. government official said several colleagues at the U.S. embassy in Havana were evacuated back to the United States for hearing problems and other symptoms over the past six months. Some subsequently got hearing aids, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
    Washington and Havana re-established diplomatic relations in 2015 after more than five decades of hostilities, re-opening embassies in each other's capitals and establishing a new chapter of engagement between the former Cold War foes. President Donald Trump rolled back part of his predecessor Barack Obama's policy toward Cuba, but has left in place many of the changes, including the re-opened U.S. Embassy in Havana.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register