24 American personnel affected by health attack in Cuba: US

Releasing the exact figures, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said an investigation into the attacks in Cuba is ongoing. “Based on continued assessments of US Government personnel, we can confirm 24 persons have experienced health effects from the attacks,” Nauert said, adding that the assessments are based on medical evaluations of personnel who were affected by incidents earlier this year.

“They do not reflect new attacks. As noted before, the most recent medically confirmed attack occurred near the end of August. Our personnel are receiving comprehensive medical evaluations and care,” she said.

Nauert, however, did not rule out additional new cases as medical professionals continue to evaluate members of the embassy community.

Early this week, US President Donald Trump had blamed Cuba for the attack on US personnel at its Havana embassy resulting in many of them falling seriously ill.

Meanwhile, a top Republican Senator Marco Rubio in a letter urged Trump to direct the US to vote against any UN General Assembly resolution demanding a change to America’s embargo against Cuba.

The UN General Assembly, at the behest of the Castro regime in Cuba, will likely to vote next month on a resolution demanding an end to the US’ embargo against Cuba, he said.

The embargo is codified under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, which is also known as the Helms-Burton Libertad Act.

“I respectfully urge you to direct the United States to vote against any UN General Assembly resolution demanding a change to this US law,” Rubio said in a letter to Trump.

“While I recognise the UN General Assembly’s vote would be only symbolic, it would send the wrong message to human rights defenders and pro-democracy dissidents in Cuba,” he said.

Over the years, far too many Cubans who have sought to promote self-government, the impartial rule of law, and adherence to universal values on the island have suffered imprisonment, violence, torture, and other human rights violations under the Castro regime. Some have even lost their lives, he said.

The officials have not ruled out the possibility of a third-country behind the attack on US diplomats. Cuba has denied of having any role in such mysterious attacks and is providing all support to the FBI which is investigating the matter.