Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the United States on Tuesday of “politicising” unfounded allegations that it had carried out “sonic attacks” on embassy staff.

Mr Rodriguez spoke to journalists after the US State Department confirmed it was demanding that the Cuban embassy in Washington reduce its staff by 15 — some 60 per cent — in line with its own withdrawal of about 30 out of 50 diplomats from Havana.

That action followed a travel warning to US holidaymakers planning to visit the tropical island on Friday that has already harmed Cuba’s important tourist industry.