Vintage U.S. car passing in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana. (YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) inspector general is set to examine cases of the Havana Syndrome. According to recent reports, the agency’s watchdog will review how the CIA handled agents who contracted the mysterious illness.
Additionally, Director William Burns said he is tripling the size of the medical team in the investigation. This comes as cases of the Havana Syndrome have ballooned in recent months.
“The anomalous health incidents afflicting our personnel around the world are of grave concern,” said a committee official. “There is no higher priority than ensuring the health and safety of those individuals who serve our nation.”
About 100 CIA officers, family members afflicted by 'Havana Syndrome' -CIA chief https://t.co/0ULLtYBq3Z pic.twitter.com/MGL3H3EwKC
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 23, 2021
Dozens of cases have also been reported in Vienna, Austria, a known hotspot for spies, as well as several in Northern Africa. Knowledge of the illness stemmed from an incident in Havana, Cuba in 2016 where a number of diplomats became ill, sparking concerns the victims had been attacked by radio wave weapons.
Some officials theorized if a foreign adversary is behind Havana Syndrome, they aren’t necessarily looking to harass U.S. personnel, but rather to collect information from cell phones.
Source: One America News Network
