Much has been speculated about the case, now there could be an explanation: Mysterious health complaints from Canadian and US diplomats in Cuba may be due to pesticides used to control insects. This is the result of a Dalhousie University study for the Canadian State Department published by Radio-Canada.
Dozens of diplomats and their relatives living in Havana, the capital of Havana, have since 2016 complained of puzzling headaches, hearing loss, dizziness and nausea. Experts had initially suspected possible "acoustic attacks" behind the complaints. The governments of Canada and the United States then reduced their embassy staff in Cuba. Havana reacted with incomprehension.
Now the scientists suspect that neurotoxins could be responsible for the symptoms. Such nerve agents are contained in pesticides, for example, which would be used in Cuba for insect killing. As of 2016, the country has cracked down on mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus. Among other things, offices of diplomats have been treated with the funds.
The researchers now want to work with the authorities in Cuba to find out whether there have been similar cases of illness among the native population.
US calls for two Cuban diplomats to leave
Regardless of the incident, relations between the US and Cuba have recently reached a new low. On suspicion of threatening national security, the US government called on two Cuban diplomats to leave the country immediately.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the diplomats working for the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in New York committed "acts of national security harm to the United States". Cuba firmly rejected the charge. The two diplomats abused their status and tried to carry out "action to influence" in the US. The ministry is investigating whether other representatives have abused their "residence privileges" in the US.
As of now, all members of the Cuban Mission to the United Nations are under US Department of State orders only in New York's Manhattan district, home to UN headquarters. Travel to other areas of the US is prohibited.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the move. Cuba rejected the "unjustified expulsion" of the two diplomats and the restriction of freedom of movement for its employees and their families. The UN stated that it was following developments in the case closely.
