WASHINGTON (AP) --The State Department has expelled a Cuban diplomat, accusing
him of associating with criminal elements, U.S. officials said.

The expulsion of Roberto Socorro Garcia, a third secretary at the Cuban
mission in Washington, was carried out last month without announcement.
Officials at the Cuban mission did not immediately respond to messages seeking
comment.

Cuba has announced no retaliatory measures in response to the expulsion, said
the U.S. officials, asking not to be identified.

The officials said that about 20 Cuban diplomats have been expelled since late
2002. In May, the administration ordered home seven Cuban diplomats in
Washington and seven more from the United Nations, charging that all were
engaged inappropriate activities.

Four others were expelled in the fall of 2002.

Saturday was the 43rd anniversary of the break in U.S. diplomatic relations
with Cuba, an event triggered by President Fidel Castro's order to expel 76
U.S. diplomats, accusing them of spy activities.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower responded by severing diplomatic ties.

Relations have never been restored, but since 1977 the two countries have
operated diplomatic missions in each other's capital. Unlike embassies, these
missions are not headed by ambassadors.

President Bush said in October that the United States would tighten
enforcement of its economic embargo on Cuba and provide a haven to more
fleeing Cubans while planning for the day when Castro's rule comes to an end.

"Clearly, the Castro regime will not change by its own choice. But Cuba must
change," Bush said at the White House.

Bush said the United States also would step up enforcement of existing
restrictions against the communist government, such as the ban on American
tourism, and would increase inspections of people and shipments going to and
from Cuba.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.