The United States government has struggled to explain a series of illnesses that have affected diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel worldwide for more than eight years.
According to a CNN report, a covertly acquired device, capable of emitting pulsed radio waves and purchased with Pentagon funding, has reopened the Havana Syndrome debate within the US government. In addition, a separate controversy erupted shortly after the US military operation in Venezuela, bringing back into the public eye concerns regarding the use of unconventional weapons.
Karoline Leavitt, a White House press secretary, reshared a post on X earlier this month claiming that the United States used a “mystery” sonic or sound-based weapon in a January 3 raid that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Leavitt wrote, “Stop what you are doing and read this,” urging readers to read the post carefully.
The claims made in the post were based on an interview-style account from a security guard in Venezuela who was said to be Maduro’s ally. Even though the allegations are unsubstantiated, the incident has accelerated long-standing queries regarding whether the United States or its adversaries possess deployable directed-energy or sound-based systems, which are at the center of the Havana Syndrome debate.
How does Havana Syndrome work? Officially known as “anomalous health incidents,” Havana Syndrome first became known when US diplomats stationed in Havana, Cuba, reported experiencing symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and cognitive difficulties toward the end of 2016. Despite the absence of visible injuries, some individuals reported symptoms that were consistent with head trauma.