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U.S. Embassy cuts hobble influence in Cuba: report
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS AUGUST 22, 2018 / 1:54 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
U.S. Embassy cuts hobble influence in Cuba: report
Marc Frank
4 MIN READ
HAVANA (Reuters) - The United States’ ability to monitor Cuba, defend human rights, conduct consular activities and comply with bilateral agreements is being undermined by a drastic reduction in staff at the embassy in Havana, according to a congressional report.
The administration of President Donald Trump, which has partly rolled back Washington’s detente with Cuba, has sharply reduced U.S. staff in Havana and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats.
The document from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) states that the decision to reduce staffing from more than 50 diplomats to a maximum of 18 - due to a mysterious illness that has affected 26 officials and family members - overwhelmed those remaining at their posts.
“Because of the reduction in U.S. staff, U.S. officials maintain that those officers at post often wear two or three hats in terms of responsibilities,” read the report, issued at the request of New York Representative Eliot Engel, the ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
While diplomatic and humanitarian visas are being granted, Americans in Cuba can only expect emergency services, the report said.
-snip-
U.S. Embassy cuts hobble influence in Cuba: report
Marc Frank
4 MIN READ
HAVANA (Reuters) - The United States’ ability to monitor Cuba, defend human rights, conduct consular activities and comply with bilateral agreements is being undermined by a drastic reduction in staff at the embassy in Havana, according to a congressional report.
The administration of President Donald Trump, which has partly rolled back Washington’s detente with Cuba, has sharply reduced U.S. staff in Havana and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats.
The document from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) states that the decision to reduce staffing from more than 50 diplomats to a maximum of 18 - due to a mysterious illness that has affected 26 officials and family members - overwhelmed those remaining at their posts.
“Because of the reduction in U.S. staff, U.S. officials maintain that those officers at post often wear two or three hats in terms of responsibilities,” read the report, issued at the request of New York Representative Eliot Engel, the ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
While diplomatic and humanitarian visas are being granted, Americans in Cuba can only expect emergency services, the report said.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-usa/u-s-embassy-cuts-hobble-influence-in-cuba-report-idUSKCN1L71XK
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