Ben Rhodes has some 'splainin' to do on Cuba and suspected attack on U.S. diplomats

So, it turns out this suspected attack on U.S. diplomats in Cuba with some sort of sonic device that caused permanent hearing loss in some of our people happened in 2016 when then President Barack Obama and adviser Ben Rhodes was busy touting the success of America’s engagement with Cuba:

This happened DURING the Obama WH engagement of Cuba // before Rhodes' Jan 2017 visit to the country https://t.co/JOtxXSgTda https://t.co/uoCB8Sb626

— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) August 10, 2017

U.S. Diplomats in Cuba Attacked With Sonic Weapon That Caused Hearing Loss – TIME https://t.co/ME7ck0DHlE

— Daniela Ganoza (@danielaganoza) August 10, 2017

Here’s what we know about the attack from TIME magazine:

In the fall of 2016, a series of U.S. diplomats began suffering unexplained losses of hearing, according to officials with knowledge of the investigation into the case. Several of the diplomats were recent arrivals at the embassy, which reopened in 2015 as part of former President Barack Obama’s reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Some of the diplomats’ symptoms were so severe that they were forced to cancel their tours early and return to the United States, officials said. After months of investigation, U.S. officials concluded that the diplomats had been exposed to an advanced device that operated outside the range of audible sound and had been deployed either inside or outside their residences. It was not immediately clear if the device was a weapon used in a deliberate attack, or had some other purpose.

Rhodes had traveled to Cuba just before Trump’s inauguration:

On Monday, January 16, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes will travel to Cuba for official meetings, cultural engagements, and to witness the signing of a U.S.-Cuba Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The arrangement will establish a framework for strengthening our partnership on counternarcotics, counterterrorism, legal cooperation, and money laundering, including technical exchanges that contribute to a strong U.S.-Cuba law enforcement relationship. Mr. Rhodes’ trip to Cuba follows last week’s announcement that the Department of Homeland Security has ended the so-called “wet-foot/dry foot” policy as well as the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program – another step forward to normalize relations with Cuba and to bring greater consistency to our immigration policy.