Foreign affairs

More US diplomats called out of Cuba after attacks with mystery weapons

More than half of the staff at the American Embassy in Havana, Cuba will return to the US in the wake of mysterious attacks that left diplomats with hearing damage and brain injuries, the State Department announced Friday.

The department said that the staff drawdown was necessary to ensure their safety. And “because our personnel's safety is at risk, and we are unable to identify the source of the attacks, we believe US citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba,” the department added in a travel advisory.

The attacks have injured 21 Americans associated with the embassy so far, as well as Canadian diplomats. Attacks took place in the diplomats' homes as well as hotels. The last attack occurred in August, according to the New York Times.

Victims have reported a range of symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, headaches, balance problems, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), nosebleeds, difficulty concentrating and recalling words, permanent hearing loss, and speech problems. There have also been brain injuries, including swelling and concussion.