WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“Throughout my career in Congress, I have always been extremely tough on Cuba and its authoritarian regime. The Cuban government continues to allow no space for dissent or political pluralism. Last week, when the State Department announced that it would evacuate non-essential U.S. government personnel from our embassy in Havana as a result of the alleged sonic attacks, I strongly supported that decision. 

“However, I disagree with today’s decision to expel Cuban diplomats from the United States. It appears that this plays right into the hands of a potential rogue actor—Russia perhaps—that is trying to create a further wedge between our two countries and other nations in the hemisphere. We need to be smart and thoughtful in responding to these attacks. Unfortunately, today’s response was extremely shortsighted.”

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