Is Russia behind it?: Pentagon: Symptoms of Havana syndrome appeared at NATO summit

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Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed the matter in Washington on Monday (local time) when asked about a corresponding media report. “I can confirm that a senior Department of Defense official experienced symptoms similar to those reported in the unusual health incidents.” The person was at the summit in Vilnius, but was not part of the Defense Minister’s delegation.

Havana syndrome refers to puzzling symptoms such as headaches, hearing loss, dizziness and nausea, which have been complained of by countless American diplomats and their relatives in the Cuban capital Havana. Similar complaints have been reported in other places around the world. Those affected said that the symptoms started after they heard a strange noise or felt a strong pressure in their head.

Is the Russian secret service behind it?

The US government initially did not rule out that it could be an attack of some kind. More than a year ago, according to an official report, the majority of US secret services assumed that no “foreign enemy” was responsible for the so-called Havana syndrome. Instead, the reported complaints are likely the result of previous illnesses, other illnesses, or environmental factors.

Journalists from the magazine ‘Der Spiegel’, together with colleagues from the American news magazines ’60 Minutes’ (CBS) and ‘The Insider’, published research on Monday that explains why attacks by the Russian secret service could be behind the Havana Syndrome.

First cases in Germany

“Der Spiegel” also quotes an affected person who claims that the first cases of the syndrome appeared in 2014 – in the American consulate in Frankfurt am Main. It was previously widely known that the first cases occurred in Havana in 2016. CBS also mentioned the Vilnius case in its report.

The US State Department said it would not confirm or comment on the reports. Affected workers were comprehensively compensated and supported using the Havana Law. The Intelligence Committee concluded in March 2023 that it was unlikely that a foreign adversary was responsible for the Havana syndrome. We stand by this assessment. The secret services would evaluate new information if it became available. (SDA)

Source: Blick