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Sonic Weapon? Cuba Calls US Accusation 'Science Fiction'

Officials label US allegation 'slander'

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Rays from the setting sun shine on the facade of the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)

(NEWSER) – Cuban military officials have a few words to describe the notion that Havana has some kind of sonic weapon it has used against American diplomats: "science fiction" and "slander." In interviews with reporters, Cuban officials say they have investigated thoroughly and cannot find the source of the mystery ailments. But they strongly reject the accusation, made by President Trump and other US officials, that Cuba is somehow responsible. "Our main concern at this moment are the accusations being made by the US government and we are focused on that because this is a slander," says Coronel Ramiro Ramirez. As for some kind of acoustic weapon: "It's impossible," Lieutenant Colonel Jose Alazo tells Reuters. "We are talking about science fiction."

Cuban officials say they examined hotel rooms, conducted air and soil tests in the neighborhoods of diplomats' homes, talked to hundreds of neighbors, looked into whether insects might be to blame—and came away with nothing, reports NBC News. "Not even one person was sick," says a doctor. As for whether a third party such as Russia might be responsible, the officials say Cuba would never allow that on their territory, though Ramirez added, "We don't have definitive answers yet." One hindrance to the Cuban inquiry: The US has not provided access to victims' medical files or to homes where the illnesses occurred, and the officials called for greater cooperation on that front. The US has pulled most of its diplomats out of the country in the wake of the illnesses, though scientists outside of Cuba are similarly skeptical of a sonic attack.