Full History Of Havana syndrome In Timeline From 1978

2 days ago : Havana Syndrome: Scientist's Experiment, CIA's Device, and Ongoing Debate

A researcher tested a secret weapon on himself doubting Havana syndrome, while a Norwegian scientist suffered brain damage attempting to disprove it. The CIA and Pentagon reviewed a related device in Norway.

1978: Rofer cites a 1978 study on the Moscow Signal

In October 2021, Cheryl Rofer cited a 1978 study that found no adverse health effects from the Moscow Signal.

2014: NSA report mentions microwave weapon

In 2020, the New York Times reported that a 2014 NSA report stated that a hostile nation possessed a microwave weapon capable of being aimed at a person's living quarters, causing nervous system damage

2016: Initial Reports of Symptoms

In 2016, U.S. and Canadian government officials and their families in multiple overseas locations began reporting symptoms associated with a perceived localized loud sound, which became known as Havana syndrome.

2016: Zika virus epidemic in Cuba

In 2016, there was a Zika virus epidemic in Cuba, which NASEM found was highly unlikely to have caused the illnesses.

2016: Initial Health Problems in Cuba

In late 2016, American and Canadian diplomatic personnel in Cuba began experiencing unusual, unexplained health problems.

August 2017: Reports Surface in Cuba

In August 2017, reports began surfacing of American and Canadian diplomatic personnel in Cuba experiencing unusual health problems.

August 2017: Cuban Diplomats Expelled

In August 2017, the United States expelled two Cuban diplomats in retaliation for perceived Cuban responsibility for the health incidents.

September 2017: Incident in Uzbekistan Discounted

In September 2017, a USAID employee at the U.S. embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, reported an incident; however, the employee's report was discounted by the U.S. State Department.

September 2017: Embassy Ordered Departure Status

Since September 2017, the U.S. embassy in Havana had been operating under "ordered departure status" which was due to expire before it was extended.

October 2017: President Trump Blames Cuba

In October 2017, President Donald Trump stated that he believed Cuba was responsible for the occurrences, calling them a "very unusual attack".

2017: Cuban Foreign Minister Denies Involvement

After the initial AHIs were made public in 2017, the Cuban foreign minister accused the U.S. of lying about the incident and denied Cuban involvement in or knowledge of the cause of the health problems the diplomats experienced.

2017: Reports of 26 People Affected

Around 2017, media reporting indicated a total of 26 people were affected by Havana syndrome.

2017: Suspected Attacks Reported Globally

Beginning in late 2017, suspected attacks targeting U.S. intelligence personnel were reported in an expanding set of locations around the world, including Moscow, Tbilisi, Poland, Taiwan, and Australia.

2017: Cuban scientists hypothesize cricket sounds

In 2017, Cuban scientists hypothesized that the sound on the same recording is that of Jamaican field crickets.

2017: Canadian Diplomats Affected

In 2017, several Canadians were affected by Havana syndrome with some unable to resume work due to the severity of their ailments.

2017: U.S. State Department Conclusion

In 2017, the U.S. State Department concluded that the health problems experienced by personnel were either the result of an attack or exposure to an unknown device, with speculation centering around a sonic weapon.

2017: US Congress asks the CDC to investigate the AHIs

In late 2017, the US Congress asked the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to investigate the AHIs. In response, the CDC studied the medical histories of 95 diplomats and family members that reported symptoms.

January 2018: State Department Accountability Review Board

In January 2018, the State Department convened an accountability review board, led by Peter Bodde, to review the department's handling of AHIs.

March 2018: University of Michigan Study on Ultrasound

In March 2018, a team of computer scientists at the University of Michigan reported that ultrasound from malfunctioning or improperly placed Cuban surveillance equipment could have been the origin of the reported sounds.

March 2018: UPenn researchers publish preliminary results in JAMA

In March 2018, at the U.S. government's request, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) researchers examined 21 affected diplomats posted to Cuba, and the preliminary results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The researchers found "no evidence of white matter tract abnormalities" but described "a new syndrome in the diplomats that resembles persistent concussion".

March 2018: Canadian Diplomats Consult in Pittsburgh

In March 2018, some Canadian diplomats traveled to Pittsburgh for neurological consultation revealing brain damage similar to US diplomats.

March 2018: U.S. Embassy Staffing

In March 2018, the U.S. State Department announced that it would continue to staff its embassy in Havana at the minimum level required, extending staff reductions indefinitely.

April 2018: First Incident in China

In April 2018, an American diplomat in China reported symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome at the Guangzhou consulate.

May 2018: Pompeo Testifies Before House Committee

In May 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that U.S. diplomatic staff in Guangzhou had reported symptoms "very similar" to those reported from Cuba.

June 6, 2018: Additional Diplomats Evacuated from Guangzhou

On June 6, 2018, The New York Times reported that at least two additional U.S. diplomats stationed at the Guangzhou consulate had been evacuated from China.

June 2018: Number of Affected American Citizens

As of June 2018, the number of American citizens experiencing symptoms in Cuba was reported to be 26.

June 2018: State Department Task Force and Health Warning

In June 2018, the State Department announced a task force to investigate the reports and expanded a health warning to all of mainland China.

August 2018: UPenn study criticized in JAMA

In August 2018, the UPenn study was criticized in JAMA by several physicians and scientists who asserted that the study overlooked many other possible causes of the AHIs.

September 2018: Microwaves considered a main suspect

In September 2018, Douglas H. Smith, the lead author of the UPenn study, stated that microwaves were "considered a main suspect" underlying the phenomenon. A study by Beatrice Alexandra Golomb in 2018 determined that the symptoms and circumstances of AHIs were consistent with pulsed RF/MW radiation.

November 2018: The New Yorker Article on FBI Investigation

In November 2018, The New Yorker reported that the FBI's investigation was hindered by conflict with the CIA and federal rules on the privacy of employee medical records.

December 2018: Additional Canadian Diplomats Report Symptoms

In late December 2018, a 14th Canadian diplomat reported symptoms of Havana syndrome.

2018: JASON analyzes audio recordings

In 2018, JASON, a group of physicists and scientists who advise the U.S. government, analyzed audio recordings from eight of the original 21 AHIs and two cellphone videos taken by one patient from Cuba.

2018: Multiple Agency Investigations Initiated

In 2018, several government and non-government agencies, including the State Department, University of Pennsylvania, and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, initiated investigations into the anomalous health incidents (AHIs).

2018: FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Investigation

In 2018, the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit visited Havana and assessed that the individuals were experiencing a mass psychogenic illness, without speaking directly to those affected.

2018: FBI Report Finds No Evidence of Sonic Attack

In 2018, the FBI's Operational Technology Division released a non-public report that found no evidence of a sonic attack or involvement of foreign adversaries in the anomalous health incidents.

2018: Criticism of UPenn study in neuroscience journal Cortex

In 2018, the neuroscience journal Cortex criticized the UPenn study. The journal's editorial board, led by Sergio Della Sala, published a letter stating that the study had "gross methodological flaws" and asked the authors of the study to clarify their methods or retract the study.

2018: Scientists question microwave hypothesis

In late 2018, scientists including physicist Peter Zimmerman, bioengineers Kenneth R. Foster, and Andrei G. Pakhomov, and UCLA neurologist Robert Baloh, questioned the microwave hypothesis, with Baloh describing the UPenn study's conclusions as "science fiction".

January 2019: Audio recordings matched to cricket song

In January 2019, biologists Alexander L. Stubbs and Fernando Montealegre-Z analyzed audio recordings made by American personnel in Havana and concluded the sounds were the calling song of the Indies short-tailed cricket (Anurogryllus celerinictus) rather than those of a technological device.

February 2019: Canadian Diplomats Sue Government

In February 2019, several Canadian diplomats sued the Canadian government, arguing that it failed to protect them or promptly address serious health concerns related to Havana syndrome.

February 2019: Challenges for Canadian Investigation

As of February 2019, the lack of knowledge about the cause of Havana syndrome had made it challenging for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate.

May 2019: White House Staffers Report Symptoms in London

In late May 2019, three White House staffers reported symptoms at the InterContinental London Park Lane.

July 2019: JASON report findings first reported

In July 2019, the findings of a JASON report, which analyzed audio recordings from eight of the original 21 AHIs and two cellphone videos, were first reported. The JASON group is a group of physicists and scientists who advise the U.S. government.

November 2019: Government Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit

In November 2019, the Canadian government sought to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Canadian diplomats, arguing that it was not negligent and did not breach its duties to its employees.

November 2019: Global Affairs Canada Continues Investigation

In a November 2019 statement, Global Affairs Canada stated, "We continue to investigate the potential causes of the unusual health symptoms."

December 2019: CDC report on AHIs given to Congress and executive branch

In December 2019, the CDC's report on AHIs, which studied the medical histories of 95 diplomats and family members, was given to Congress and the executive branch. The report concluded that "The evaluations conducted thus far have not identified a mechanism of injury, process of exposure, effective treatment, or mitigating factor for the unexplained cluster of symptoms experienced by those stationed in Havana."

2019: AHIs proposed as mass psychogenic illness

In 2019, Robert Bartholomew and Robert Baloh proposed that the AHIs represent a mass psychogenic illness rather than a "novel clinical entity", citing vagueness and inconsistency of symptoms. They suggested the Havana syndrome is an example of the nocebo effect.

2019: White House Official Reports Symptoms

In 2019, a White House official reported experiencing debilitating symptoms while walking her dog in a Virginia suburb of Washington.

2019: Reports of 40 People Affected

In 2019, it was reported that 40 people from the U.S. and Canada were affected by Havana syndrome.

2019: CDC Investigation

In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) launched an investigation into the anomalous health incidents (AHIs).

October 2020: Clashes within U.S. government over nature and causes

In October 2020, the New York Times reported that U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers clashed with Trump administration appointees over the nature and causes of the suspected attacks.

November 2020: DoD Briefs Congress on Ellipse Incident

In November 2020, Defense Department investigators briefed members of Congress about an incident that occurred at The Ellipse near the White House. The DoD's involvement was due to their investigation being more advanced than those of the FBI or the intelligence community.

November 2020: Incident Reported Near the White House

In November 2020, an incident similar to those reported overseas was reported on The Ellipse, a lawn adjacent to the south side of the White House.

December 2020: BuzzFeed notices the NASEM report mentioned the CDC report

In December 2020, BuzzFeed news noticed that the NASEM report mentioned the CDC report, and so they made a FOIA request, and obtained the CDC report.

December 2020: CIA establishes task force to investigate

In December 2020, the CIA established a task force to investigate the reports of attacks against CIA officers.

December 2020: Defense Department establishes task force

Near the end of the Trump administration, in December 2020, the Defense Department established a task force to investigate reports of attacks on DoD personnel abroad.

December 2020: NASEM releases report

The State Department commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study Havana syndrome. The committee released their report in December 2020 and deemed directed Radio Frequency (RF) energy as the most plausible cause, with psychological causes as a secondary contributing factor.

2020: Publication of "Havana Syndrome: Mass Psychogenic Illness"

In 2020, a book by Bartholomew and Baloh, Havana Syndrome: Mass Psychogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mystery and Hysteria, was published; it argued in support of the psychogenic illness hypothesis.

2020: DOD, CIA, and NASEM Investigations

In 2020, the Department of Defense (DOD), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) conducted investigations into the AHIs.

2020: Report on microwave weapon

In 2020, the New York Times reported that a 2014 NSA report stated that a hostile nation possessed a microwave weapon capable of causing nervous system damage.

January 2021: BuzzFeed publishes the CDC report

In January 2021, Buzzfeed published the CDC report. Buzzfeed quoted neurologist Robert Baloh as saying "Essentially the CDC is saying that they have no idea what happened in Cuba."

March 2021: State Department Appoints and Then Loses Task Force Overseer

In March 2021, the State Department appointed ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen to oversee the task force responding to the incidents. Six months later, Spratlen left due to "reaching the threshold of hours of labor". Her resignation was demanded after a conference call where she did not take a position on whether the AHIs were psychogenic, which affected diplomats found "invalidating".

April 2021: Defense Department Briefing

In April 2021, Defense Department officials briefed members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the incident at The Ellipse but could not determine the cause or who was responsible.

May 2021: Reports of Microwave Radiation Devices Targeting U.S. Officials

In May 2021, The New Yorker reported that some government officials believed GRU agents were using microwave-radiation devices to target U.S. officials to obtain information from phones and computers. The radiation may be harmful. Experts interviewed by The Guardian debated the plausibility of microwave weapons causing AHIs.

May 2021: Reports of 130 People Affected

In May 2021, media reports indicated that approximately 130 people had been affected by Havana syndrome.

July 2021: National Security Council and CIA Establish Outside Panels

In July 2021, The New York Times reported that the National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency, and Director of National Intelligence established two outside panels. One panel was created to investigate possible causes, and the other to develop defensive countermeasures for personnel protection. External scientists would be permitted to view relevant classified intelligence in their investigations.

July 2021: State Department Investigates Vienna Reports

In July 2021, the State Department confirmed that it was investigating reports of Havana syndrome-like symptoms among U.S. personnel in Vienna.

August 2021: Diplomats Evacuated from Hanoi

In August 2021, two American diplomats were evacuated from Hanoi, Vietnam, after incidents of Havana syndrome were reported, delaying Vice President Kamala Harris's visit.

August 2021: Reports in Berlin

In the months preceding August 2021, cases of Havana syndrome were reported in Berlin, Germany, including from two U.S. officials who sought medical treatment.

September 2021: Over 200 People Affected

By September 2021, the number of people affected by Havana syndrome was reported to be more than 200.

September 2021: Government Debate and CIA Investigation Update

In September 2021, U.S. government analysts debated whether the alleged attacks were a deliberate attempt to cause injury or a high-tech attempt to steal classified information from phones and computers of U.S. officials. CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen said the investigation had "gotten closer" to making a determination. Reports also surfaced of Western diplomats experiencing mysterious ailments potentially due to microwave devices in past decades.

September 2021: CIA Director's Aide Reports Symptoms

In September 2021, an aide-de-camp of CIA director William J. Burns reported symptoms consistent with those of Havana syndrome on a diplomatic visit to India.

September 2021: Declassification of parts of JASON's report

In September 2021, parts of the JASON report, which analyzed audio recordings and cellphone videos related to the AHIs, were declassified.

September 2021: CIA Station Chief Recalled

In September 2021, the CIA station chief in Vienna was recalled over concerns about his management and slow response to Havana syndrome cases at his post.

September 2021: Cuban Academy of Sciences releases report

In September 2021, the Cuban Academy of Sciences released a report determining that prior analyses by United States scientists were biased and relied on cherry-picked evidence, and concluded that the most likely explanation was mass psychogenic illness.

October 8, 2021: HAVANA Act Signed into Law

On October 8, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act into law. The law authorizes the CIA director and the secretary of state to provide financial support for personnel with brain injuries and gives an untaxed lump-sum payment of up to one year's full salary to government employees that provide evidence of neurological injury.

October 2021: Cheryl Rofer questions microwave weapon evidence

In October 2021, Cheryl Rofer stated that there were no microwave experts on the NASEM committee and questioned the evidence for a microwave weapon.

October 2021: Symptoms Reported in Bogota

In October 2021, it was reported that U.S. embassy personnel and their families in Bogota, Colombia, had developed symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome.

October 2021: New Cases at Berlin Embassy

In October 2021, several new cases of Havana syndrome were reported at the U.S. embassy in Berlin.

November 2021: Appointment of diplomats to oversee Health Incident Response Task Force

In November 2021, Secretary of State Blinken appointed Jonathan M. Moore and Margaret Uyehara to oversee the State Department's internal Health Incident Response Task Force.

December 2021: National Defense Authorization Act Directs Designation of AHI Coordinator

In December 2021, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which included a section directing the president to designate a senior official as "anomalous health incidents interagency coordinator" to oversee efforts across the federal government.

2021: Acting defense secretary comments on CIA and State Department response

In 2021, Christopher C. Miller, acting defense secretary, stated that he believed the CIA and Department of State were not taking the reports seriously and that the DoD established the task force to "shame them into it".

2021: Cuba Denies Involvement in Havana Syndrome

In 2021, Cuba's Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio told Reuters, "The unfortunate thing is the U.S. government leveraged [Havana syndrome] to derail bilateral relations... and discredit Cuba." Cuba has labeled the idea of Havana Syndrome being caused by a foreign agent as science fiction for years.

2021: Cuban Academy of Sciences Panel Report

In 2021, a panel of scientists affiliated with the Cuban Academy of Sciences reported that "the narrative of the 'mysterious syndrome' is not scientifically acceptable in any of its components." The panel directly addressed the microwave hypothesis.

2021: Reports from Vienna

In 2021, dozens of U.S. personnel stationed in Vienna, including diplomats, intelligence officials, and some children of U.S. employees, reported Havana syndrome-like symptoms.

2021: CIA expands investigation under Director Burns

In 2021, the CIA expanded its investigation under Director William J. Burns, who appointed a senior CIA officer to lead the agency's investigation.

2021: Senate Intelligence Committee Works with CIA on AHI Investigation

In 2021, the Senate Intelligence Committee leadership announced they were working with the CIA on the AHI investigation, indicating that they had already held fact-finding hearings on the attacks, many of which resulted in medically confirmed cases of Traumatic Brain Injury.

2021: Cuba rejects Havana Syndrome attack claim

In 2021, top Cuban scientists found no evidence supporting foreign attacks causing Havana Syndrome, labeling the idea as 'science fiction'. This stance aligns with Cuba's long-held position of denying any involvement or knowledge of such incidents.

January 2022: CIA Issues Interim Report on AHI Study

In January 2022, the Central Intelligence Agency issued an interim report summarizing an ongoing study of roughly 1,000 reported cases of AHI. The study concluded that it was unlikely that a foreign power was responsible for the AHIs, and that the study had not yet found evidence of involvement by a state actor. Most cases could be explained by natural causes, undiagnosed conditions, or stress. Investigation continued on about 24 cases for which foreign involvement could not be ruled out.

February 10, 2022: State Department Releases Unclassified JASON Advisory Group Report

On February 10, 2022, the State Department released unclassified portions of a report it had commissioned from the JASON Advisory Group. The study found that 80–90% of the incidents could be easily explained by everyday occurrences or other unrelated factors. For the 10–20% that could not be easily explained, JASON was not able to perform a statistical analysis due to lack of data.

February 2022: Director of National Intelligence Releases Report on AHI Causes

In February 2022, the Director of National Intelligence released a summary of a report written by a panel of scientists. The report determined that pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound were plausible causes for AHI patients that reported four particular "core" symptoms. The report stated that psychogenic factors could explain the other instances of AHI (that did not involve all four core symptoms).

October 2022: CIA Officers Accuse Agency of Dragging Feet in Investigation

In October 2022, CNN reported that about three dozen CIA officers had accused the agency of dragging its feet in the Havana syndrome investigation, including some who had filed formal whistleblower complaints.

2022: Over 1,000 People Affected

By early 2022, media reports indicated that more than 1,000 people had been affected by Havana syndrome.

2022: JASON Investigation

In 2022, JASON conducted another investigation into the AHIs following their initial investigation in 2018.

2022: Asadi-Pooya Review Article

In 2022, a review article by Asadi-Pooya considered possible causes of Havana syndrome, including directed-energy or radio frequency weapons, functional disorders, psychogenic disease, or exposure to chemicals/neurotoxins.

2022: US Defense Health Agency Issued Form 244

In late 2022 the US Defense Health Agency issued Form 244, Anomalous Health Incident (AHI) Acute Assessment, described as "a multi-domain assessment that should be used to evaluate patients for potential AHI".

March 1, 2023: House Intelligence Committee Releases Report

On March 1, 2023, the House Intelligence Committee released a report, titled "Intelligence Community Assessment", jointly prepared by seven U.S. intelligence agencies. The report concluded that "there is no credible evidence that a foreign adversary has a weapon or collection device that is causing AHIs".

March 2023: John Bolton's Statements on Cuban and Russian Involvement

Following the release of the March 2023 report, Trump's national security adviser John Bolton stated that he believed attacks were not in Cuba's interest and that Russia was likely involved. He chose not to brief President Trump on this theory due to Trump's association with Vladimir Putin.

March 2023: U.S. Army Funds Study Exposing Ferrets to RF Waves

In March 2023, Politico reported that the U.S. Army funded a $750,000 grant to Wayne State University for a study to expose 48 ferrets to RF waves to mimic mild concussive head injury. PETA demanded that the Pentagon end live-animal testing in relation to Havana syndrome.

March 2023: U.S. Intelligence Community Releases 2023 Report

In March 2023, the U.S. intelligence community published a report that concluded "that there is no credible evidence that a foreign adversary has a weapon or collection device that is causing AHIs". The agencies preparing the report reviewed thousands of possible cases of Havana syndrome.

2023: Articles Supporting the Psychogenic Hypothesis Published

During 2023, the International Journal of Social Psychiatry published several articles and commentaries supporting the psychogenic hypothesis, criticizing the energy weapon hypothesis, and questioning whether some earlier Havana syndrome studies published in JAMA were inappropriately influenced by politics.

2023: Bartholomew and Baloh Review

In 2023, Bartholomew and Baloh published a review article concluding that Havana syndrome was erroneously classified as a novel entity due to moral panic and misconceptions.

2023: ODNI Investigation

In 2023, seven intelligence agencies under the auspices of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) conducted investigations into the AHIs.

March 2024: Joint Investigation Suggests Russian Military Intelligence Involvement

In March 2024, a joint investigation by The Insider, 60 Minutes, and Der Spiegel suggested that some AHIs were possibly caused by actions of Russian military intelligence, specifically GRU Unit 29155, which allegedly developed and deployed "non-lethal acoustic weapons". The Kremlin Press Secretary dismissed the report, and the White House Press Secretary said that a foreign adversary is very unlikely to be responsible.

May 2024: Allegations of Coercion in NIH Study

In May 2024, a former CIA employee claimed that the CIA required him to participate in the NIH study as a prerequisite to obtaining medical care for his AHI symptoms. The CIA denied the allegation.

July 2024: GAO Report on Care Eligibility

In July 2024, a GAO report stated that 334 people had completed the process to qualify for care in the military health system due to Havana syndrome.

July 2024: GAO Report on DoD Medical Care for AHI Patients

In July 2024, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that surveyed the DoD's actions in providing medical care to AHI patients. The GAO found that the AHI patients were often confused by the process to obtain care and made several recommendations to the DoD to streamline the process and improve communications.

September 2024: NIH Terminates AHI Studies

In September 2024, the NIH terminated the AHI studies to avoid the appearance of possible violation of medical ethics guidelines. This action was taken because a participant perceived he was coerced by the CIA into participating, even though the NIH investigation found no coercion on the part of NIH personnel.

December 2024: House Subcommittee Criticizes Biden Administration and CIA Leadership

In December 2024, a Republican-led subcommittee of the House of Representatives issued an interim report criticizing the Biden administration and CIA leadership regarding their handling of Havana Syndrome. The subcommittee stated that the 2023 report lacked analytic integrity and accused the administration of hindering the subcommittee's investigation.

2024: Connolly et al. Review

In 2024, a review article by Connolly et al. concluded that the cause of AHIs remains unknown, discussing possibilities like mass psychogenic illness and head trauma.

2024: NIH study fails to replicate UPenn results

In 2024, scientists with the NIH published a study of 86 AHI patients in which they were unable to replicate the UPenn results.

2024: NIH Investigation

In 2024, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted an investigation into the anomalous health incidents (AHIs).

2024: U.S. Government Acquires Device Possibly Connected to Havana Syndrome

Leaked reports indicated that in late 2024, "The U.S. government quietly acquired a device in late 2024 that officials believe may be connected to the debilitating condition known as Havana Syndrome."

January 2025: U.S. Intelligence Community Updates 2023 Report

In January 2025, the U.S. intelligence community published an update to their 2023 report. The update stated that five of the seven components of the community continue to assess it "very unlikely" that a foreign actor is responsible.

January 29, 2026: Death of Michael Beck

On January 29, 2026, Michael Beck, the first to report any symptoms of Havana Syndrome passed away at age 65. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's at 45.

February 2026: Report on a Secret Test Conducted by a Norwegian Scientist

In February 2026, The Washington Post reported that in 2024, a secret test was conducted by a Norwegian government scientist. The scientist constructed a device that can emit pulses of microwave energy, and tested it on himself. He suffered symptoms similar to the Havana syndrome instead.

2026: Reports Suggest U.S. Government Acquired Device Connected to Havana Syndrome

Leaked reports in 2026 suggested that the U.S. government quietly acquired a device in late 2024 that officials believe may be connected to Havana Syndrome.