Canada to Reduce Staff at Cuba Embassy Following Illness of Another Diplomat, Reports Reuters

By Anna Mehler Paperny

TORONTO – Canada has announced a reduction of its diplomatic staff in Cuba by up to 50% after another case of illness was reported, which raises the total number of Canadians experiencing unexplained symptoms to 14 since 2017.

Canadian and U.S. diplomats stationed in Havana first reported issues such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea in the spring of 2017. Following the emergence of these unusual health problems, the United States significantly decreased its embassy staff from over 50 to a maximum of 18 personnel.

According to a source within the Canadian government, the number of diplomats in Cuba will be reduced from 16 to 8. One government official commented that "a further reduction in the embassy footprint is deemed to be the appropriate response."

The latest incident in November marked the first new case reported by a Canadian in months, prompting the decision to cut remaining staff. Family members of the diplomats departed last year.

Josefina Vidal, the Cuban ambassador to Canada, expressed that Havana found Ottawa’s decision "incomprehensible," arguing that it would not contribute to solving the mystery of the health issues and could damage bilateral relations. She stated, "This behavior favors those in the United States who use this issue to attack and denigrate Cuba."

The Cuban government has been collaborating with Canadian authorities in the ongoing investigation into the cause of these illnesses, which remains undetermined. A Canadian official noted, "I think I can safely say that Cuban officials are as frustrated as we are that we cannot get any closer to determining a cause."

Vidal mentioned there is no evidence indicating brain damage or that the reported symptoms are attributable to the diplomats’ stays in Cuba. Despite the recent decision, Cuba is committed to maintaining positive relations with Canada.

In 2017, over a million Canadians visited the Caribbean island, reinforcing Canada’s position as Cuba’s most significant tourism market for many years. Canada is also among Cuba’s top ten trading partners, with trade between the two amounting to $790 million.

This trading relationship is bolstered by a joint venture involving Sherritt International Corp, a Canadian firm, and Cubaniquel, which oversees around 60% of Cuba’s nickel production, along with cobalt, which is exported to Canada for refining.