In 2016, several American diplomats stationed at the US embassy in Havana, Cuba, began suffering a range of medical issues, including migraines, fatigue, vertigo, anxiety, dizziness, memory lapses, and cognitive impairment. Soon afterwards, US diplomatic, intelligence, and military officials stationed in other overseas locations complained of the same symptoms. A mystery illness had struck, but the cause was unclear. Eventually, the malady was given a name: Havana syndrome. Later, a number of US government representatives attributed the incidents to sonic attacks by unidentified foreign adversaries, a notion largely dismissed by the White House.
Now, a new investigation by CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’ suggests a directed-energy weapon may be linked to some cases of Havana syndrome. According to the report, the US government obtained a small microwave-based device from a Russian criminal network and has been testing it in a military laboratory for more than a year. Sources told the program that experiments on animals produced brain injuries similar to those reported by some victims. Still, officials say the cause of Havana syndrome remains unresolved.
Indeed, the mystery surrounding Havana syndrome continues to spark debate among scientists, intelligence officials, and policymakers. Click through the following gallery to learn more about the strange illness and the theories behind it.