'Unlikely' foreign powers behind 'Havana syndrome,' US intel finds

WASHINGTON

The intelligence community concluded Wedensday that it is "unlikely" a foreign power is behind a series of mystery illnesses that afflicted US diplomatic personnel across the globe.

Most agencies found it "very unlikely" that a foreign country was responsible while two found it "unlikely," according to a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The first cases of the unexplained phenomena were detected at the US embassy in Cuba in 2016, prompting the then-Trump administration to draw down its diplomatic presence in the island nation amid suspicions of a "sonic attack." Additional cases affecting American diplomats and officials were later reported worldwide, including in Asia and Europe.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, who oversees the US government's intelligence agencies, said that while agencies have determined it is unlikely that Russia or another adversarial nation is behind the illnesses, they did so with varying levels of confidence due to "gaps given the challenges collecting on foreign adversaries."

"IC agencies assess that symptoms reported by US personnel were probably the result of factors that did not involve a foreign adversary, such as preexisting conditions, conventional illnesses, and environmental factors," she said, using an acronym to refer to the intelligence community.

"We will continue to prioritize our work on such incidents, remaining vigilant regarding information that would undercut the IC’s judgments and continuing to respond to individuals who report incidents, including investing in health resources for such purposes," she added.

Biden in 2022 signed the HAVANA Act, which authorizes the government to disperse payments to personnel who were afflicted by what it describes as "anomalous health incidents."

Continuing to do so "remains a priority for the president," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

"Today's IC assessment does not call into [question] the very real experiences and symptoms. We acknowledge that, and we understand that people truly went through an ordeal," she said. "Our commitment and the President's commitment to the health and safety of US government personnel remains unwavering. And this is why the departments and agency will continue to provide timely care."