‘Havana Syndrome’ NOT a result of a hostile power – but CIA can’t rule out foreign involvement in some mystery cases
A REPORT by the CIA has found that the mysterious symptoms known as Havana Syndrome is not the result of a global campaign against Americans by a hostile power.
The agency can’t rule out foreign involvement in about two dozen cases, including many cases that originated in the US embassy in Havana around 2016.
Multiple other cases are still considered unresolved and the CIA has declined to comment.
The belief that widespread brain injuries symptoms have been caused by Russia or other foreign powers targeting Americans to cause harm has been unfounded, sources said.
People who’ve experienced possible Havana Symptoms have expressed disappointment following the report, pointing out that the CIA’s findings are an interim assessment not coordinated with other government agencies.
“CIA just kind of struck out on their own,” said one person briefed on the findings.
A group of alleged Havana Syndrome victims calling it a “disturbing curtailment” that leaves them “no closer to an answer.”
"This report was neither cleared nor coordinated through the interagency and must stand as the assessment of one agency (CIA) alone. We have reason to believe the interim report does not even represent the consensus of the full CIA." the statement continued
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According to sources, almost no one who has been working closely on the puzzling issue is surprised to learn that the recent cases may not be related to possible hostile acts.
“Even two dozen cases is a lot of cases if Americans were attacked,” said another person.
There is still an intensive ongoing intelligence gathering to solve those cases, said an official.
US diplomats and spies in Cuba began reporting strange sounds and sensations along with unexplained illnesses in 2016.
These bizarre symptoms include hearing and vision loss, memory and balance problems, headache and nausea.
Many US officials have come forward to report suspected incidents in over a dozen countries.
In 2018, US intelligence officials believed Russia to be a leading suspect in deliberate attacks on diplomats and CIA officers overseas.
However, not enough evidence has been recovered to point towards an absolute culprit of the health incidents.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine said in a 2020 report that some of the brain injuries were consistent with the effects of directed microwave energy.
Russia has denied any involvement.
