Cuba: US intelligence does not yet know what causes "Havana syndrome"

The United States is not yet sure what causes what has been called "Havana Syndrome," mysterious ailments that have plagued American diplomats in several countries, intelligence chief Avril Haines said on Monday.

Read also: Acoustic attack by American diplomats in Cuba: the trail of the microwave attack

The U.S. intelligence director said she held a meeting with senior government officials and experts on Friday to discuss the issue.

The phenomenon has given rise to allegations, as yet unproven, accusing Russia or other countries of using high-intensity electronic devices to physically harm American diplomats in Cuba, China and elsewhere.

The mystery remains

But five years after the first Havana case, US medical experts, intelligence services and officials are still uncertain exactly what is causing these “

abnormal health problems

” that have plagued US diplomats and their families, Ms. Haines in a statement.

Read also: The evil of American diplomats in Cuba still not elucidated

“

Identifying the cause of the abnormal health problems, providing the best care to those who have been affected and preventing such incidents from continuing is a top priority,

” agreed the meeting according to the official.

The ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Energy, Homeland Security and Justice attended Friday's meeting.

Similar problems elsewhere in the world

Affected diplomats have accused the government in recent years of not doing enough to identify the cause or source of their symptoms.

The case surfaced in 2016 when US diplomats and their families in Cuba reported migraines, nausea and nosebleeds after hearing high-pitched sounds at night.

To read also: "Acoustic attacks": a first victim in the White House

Similar complaints from US officials have since been reported in China, Russia and the United States itself.

The

New Yorker

claimed in July that since Joe Biden took office this year, around 20 US intelligence officers, diplomats and other officials in Vienna had reported problems similar to "

Havana Syndrome.

" .

Participants at Friday's meeting "

made it clear that they would support those affected by abnormal health problems to make sure they are believed, heard and respected,

" said Avril Haines.