The U.S. government has taken a significant step regarding the mysterious condition known as “Havana Syndrome.” In late 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acquired a device believed to be linked to the ailments experienced by American officials since 2016. Over 1,500 individuals have reported symptoms related to this condition, which has been a growing concern for U.S. personnel worldwide.
Details of the Device Acquisition
The device was secretly purchased in the closing weeks of the Biden administration. Reports indicate that the DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations division used Pentagon funding exceeding eight figures for the acquisition. The device is portable and backpack-sized, with components said to have Russian origins.
Testing and Functionality
According to sources, the Pentagon has been testing the device for over a year. It emits pulsed, radio-frequency energy, leading investigators to believe it might replicate the effects reported by victims of Havana Syndrome. The symptoms include:
- Severe headaches
- Head pressure
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Ringing or popping sensations in the ears
Many victims have described hearing a painful, high-pitched sound that ceases when they move to a different location. In severe cases, these symptoms have forced individuals to leave their positions.
Global Impact and Victim Experiences
Reports of Havana Syndrome have emerged from various countries, impacting diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel. Many victims have spent years advocating for their cases. Some believe their government has failed to provide them with necessary support and specialized medical care.
Without official recognition, many have been compelled to seek costly diagnoses and treatments independently. This has led to feelings of isolation and marginalization, as their conditions went largely unacknowledged.
Government Assessments and Investigations
A 2023 U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that it was “very unlikely” a foreign adversary was responsible for these health problems. This conclusion was reaffirmed in a subsequent review in January 2025. While most agencies still find foreign involvement improbable, two agencies suggested there was a “roughly even chance” that a foreign adversary might possess a device capable of causing harm, although they did not link it directly to the reported incidents.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has been leading a review of past investigations related to these anomalies. Although the review is near completion, it has not yet been shared with lawmakers or made public. Director Tulsi Gabbard has emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive findings to the American people, stating they will not release incomplete information.
Calls for a New Review
Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos, who experienced symptoms after an incident in Moscow in 2017, has criticized previous investigations as inadequate. He advocates for a renewed and thorough analytical review of the situation, urging the DNI to initiate such efforts.
As inquiries continue, the implications of the U.S. government’s acquisition of the device and its link to Havana Syndrome remain a topic of intense scrutiny.
