Top U.S. Embassy official in Havana bows out, deputy takes over

FILE PHOTO: Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Cuba, delivers a speech after signing accords with Cuba to join forces to prevent, contain and cleanup oil spills in their respective Gulf of Mexico waters, in Havana, Cuba, January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini/ File Photo

HAVANA (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Cuba said on Tuesday its top official, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, had left Havana after completing his three-year mission and that his deputy would become interim charge d'affaires.

Scott Hamilton, a career diplomat who has served as deputy chief of mission in Havana for two years, will become chief until further notice, the U.S. embassy spokesman in Havana said.