U.S. Expels 4 Cuban Envoys

The United States has expelled four Cuban diplomats, two from Washington and two from the United Nations in New York, the State Department said.

The diplomats at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, identified as First Secretaries Oscar Redondo Toledo and Gustavo Machin Gomez, were given until Monday to leave the U.S., spokesman Richard Boucher said.

The United States declared them persona non grata in response to the activities of Ana Belen Montes, a former U.S. intelligence officer who was sentenced to 25 years in jail in October for spying for Cuba, he said.

Those expelled from the Cuban U.N. mission were Francisco Gonzalez Garcia, a counselor, and Carlos Augusto Suanes Flexas, a second secretary, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity.

Boucher said the men “have been requested to leave the United States for engaging in activities deemed to be harmful to the United States outside their official capacity” -- apparently a euphemism for spying.

Boucher did not say whether the Washington diplomats played any part in the Montes case.

Montes, who analyzed intelligence about Cuba for the Defense Intelligence Agency, has admitted to spying for Cuba for ideological reasons.

A U.S. citizen of Puerto Rican descent, she said she opposed U.S. policy toward Cuba and wanted to help the Communist island nation.