Senate Intelligence Committee criticizes CIA’s treatment of ‘Havana syndrome’ patients
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[AP Photo/Desmond Boylan]
A bipartisan report from the Senate Intelligence Committee released on Friday sharply criticized the CIA’s handling of individuals affected by the mysterious “Havana syndrome,” a condition first reported by U.S. diplomats in Cuba in 2016. The report highlights how many of these individuals faced significant obstacles in receiving timely and adequate care. The committee found that the CIA had failed to establish clear policies and procedures to guide the medical treatment of those suffering from what the government refers to as “anomalous health incidents” (AHIs), with numerous patients encountering delays, denials, or preconditions for care.
The Senate report outlines 11 specific recommendations for the CIA to improve its response to AHIs. These recommendations include the creation of formal, documented policies for referring individuals to treatment programs, the establishment of clear medical care and benefits protocols, a comprehensive review of the CIA’s organizational response to AHIs, and a commitment to offering a standard post-incident evaluation for anyone who requests it.
One key issue highlighted in the report was that many patients experienced prolonged wait times to access medical care, were denied facilitated treatment by the CIA’s adjudication board, or were made to feel that participation in clinical research studies was a prerequisite for receiving medical help. A CIA spokesperson responded to the criticisms by asserting that during the period covered in the report, the agency was working to understand the nature of the illness and to investigate the possibility that foreign actors were responsible for harming U.S. government personnel and their families. The spokesperson further emphasized that the CIA’s commitment to the health and safety of its employees remained unwavering.
The origins of the Havana syndrome are still unclear. It began in late 2016 when U.S. diplomats stationed in Havana began reporting strange symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, and other signs of head trauma. Over time, more cases were reported in different parts of the world, including Colombia and Austria. The total number of reported cases now exceeds 1,500 across 96 countries. Although the number of incidents has declined in recent years, the illness’s exact cause remains undetermined.
Part of the difficulty in diagnosing and treating Havana syndrome is the lack of a clear definition of the condition. U.S. authorities have referred to it as an “anomalous health incident” (AHI), but it remains hard to pinpoint what physically happens to those affected, especially given that many medical tests were conducted long after symptoms began. The mystery has led to persistent speculation that the illness might be the result of a targeted attack by a foreign adversary, potentially involving directed energy weapons. However, U.S. intelligence officials stated last year that there is no concrete evidence linking any cases to a foreign attack. Nevertheless, the Senate report calls for continued research into these incidents, citing gaps in both information and research that leave many questions unanswered. The committee recommended that the U.S. intelligence community continue to explore the possibility of foreign adversaries developing directed energy technologies that could explain some of the symptoms associated with AHIs.
In addition to criticizing the CIA’s response to Havana syndrome cases, the Senate report pointed out that the agency had stopped its own internal clinical research into AHIs in 2021. This included suspending pre-incident and post-incident medical assessments, potentially missing out on valuable data that could aid in understanding the condition. The committee voiced concern that the CIA may not be adequately prepared to respond to future AHI cases, particularly if new clusters of incidents occur.
The Senate committee also issued three recommendations for Congress to consider, such as codifying existing Federal Employees’ Compensation Act guidelines for AHI-related claims and amending the Expanded Care Program to better support those affected by the condition.
The findings of the Senate report were largely based on the testimony of CIA officials, other U.S. government personnel, medical professionals who treated AHI reporters, and the individuals affected by the syndrome themselves. These findings paint a picture of an agency unprepared to meet the medical and logistical challenges posed by the mysterious illness and underlined the urgent need for reforms to ensure that those affected can receive timely and comprehensive care in the future.
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