Cuba's Raul Castro Denies Using Sound Weapons Against US Diplomats

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Cuban President Raul Castro addressed the national parliament on Thursday, where he rejected responsibility for alleged acoustic attacks on US diplomats on the island and confirmed his intention to remain President of Cuba until April, local media reported.

On Alleged Acoustic Attacks

"I repeat that Cuba was and is not responsible for suspected incidents with accredited diplomats in the country; investigations by Cuban and US experts confirm this," he said in parliament, as quoted by the Cubadebate news website.

In November 2016, US diplomatic staff said they had begun to experience symptoms and were subsequently treated for hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems and insomnia, all of which occurred after their exposure to alleged acoustic attacks.

The US State Department has said that at least 24 individuals working at the US Embassy in Havana experienced health effects caused by these purported attacks.

READ MORE: What's Wrong With Reports of 'Acoustic Attack' on US Diplomats in Cuba

On the Presidency

Cuba’s octogenarian leader has confirmed he would stay president until a new National Assembly is elected in April, two months longer than planned.

"When a National Assembly is established, my second and last term as the head of state and government will come to an end and Cuba will have a new president," he said in parliament.

Parliamentary elections were to be held in February, but the vote was put off in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma's destruction; the super-storm tore through the Caribbean island in September. The new date is April 19.

86-year-old Raul succeeded his better-known older brother Fidel in 2008. He was reelected for a second term in 2013 but promised not to run again in the 2018 elections.