The Cuban government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attacks.
It was a well-intentioned move on the part of President Barack Obama: re-establish political ties with Cuba. Personally, I am of the mind that we should have embassies in every country where our diplomats can have their safety assured. Unfortunately, it appears that the American diplomatic staff is not safe in Cuba. Several “sonic” attacks have forced the State Department to withdraw non-essential staff from Cuba.
A sonic attack refers to the usage of an acoustic weapon to disrupt, annoy, and even physically harm the targets of the attack.
The Cuban government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attacks. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez not only denied the Cuban government’s involvement but also blasted the United States for “politicizing” the attacks. However, Rodríguez reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to investigating the incidents.
So what exactly is a sonic attack? Such an attack refers to the usage of an acoustic weapon to disrupt, annoy, and even physically harm the targets of the attack. Previously, the Cuban government had used loud radios and other assets to annoy American diplomats. American representatives were present in Cuba before the reestablishment of an embassy.
It appears that people are suffering physical damage, and potentially hearing loss.
The renewed attacks are far more disturbing than a mere annoyance. It appears that people are suffering physical damage, and potentially hearing loss. So far, however, the State Department hasn’t released specific symptoms. As such, it’s hard to know exactly what happened and how serious the incidents have been.
It appears that the attacks are being carried out by a sonic weapon that operates outside of our hearing range. In other words, people are being attacked with sonic weapons, but can’t actually hear it. Starting last fall, American staff reported unexplainable damage to their ears. Doctors investigated and seem to have determined that physical damage had occurred and that it was likely the result of sonic weapons.
Some speculate that the Russian government might actually be behind the attacks rather than the Cuban government.
Such acoustic weapons seem to be straight out of science fiction. The United States government hasn’t revealed exactly how such weapons work, but many experts believe that inaudible sonic weapons are theoretically possible.
Last May, the United States expelled two Cuban diplomats over the attacks. Some speculate, however, that the Russian government might actually be behind the attacks rather than the Cuban government. Such an acoustic weapon does appear to be quite advanced. It also appears that the Cuban government would have little to gain from harassing Americans.
