CUBAN Sound Weapon? (Havana Syndrome)

In December 2016, a CIA officer visited the health office at the American Embassy in Havana complaining of nausea, headache, and dizziness. Shortly after, two more officers reported similar symptoms. Over time, the number of affected individuals grew to 26 Americans and 13 Canadians by late 2018, experiencing a range of symptoms such as nausea, vertigo, hearing loss, nosebleeds, and difficulties with concentration. All the victims reported hearing a strange noise in their hotel rooms or homes which they believed triggered their symptoms. The descriptions of the noise varied from a high-pitched sound to a beam of sound pointed into their rooms or marbles rolling on the floor.

Medical professionals were confounded by the illnesses, as those who were examined had concussion-like symptoms but showed no signs of having concussions. Although the Cuban government was suspected of causing the illnesses, they denied any responsibility and many American investigators believed them. However, it remains unclear who or what caused the sickness. The CIA claimed to have no knowledge of any weapon capable of producing these symptoms, and the theory of ultrasound causing the symptoms was debunked by the FBI as it is above the range of human hearing.

Recordings of the sound made by some of the victims did not provide any clarity either. Two scientists who analyzed the recordings suggested that the noise could be the sound of lovelorn male crickets, but they were unsure why the sound could cause illness in humans.

It is possible that the high-stress environment of working in a high-threat post like Cuba may have contributed to the symptoms. However, the same symptoms were reported in May 2018 by an American stationed at the consulate in Guangzhou, China, which remains unexplained.

Despite the mystery surrounding the cause of the brain injuries, the consequences are clear. The US government withdrew 60% of its diplomats from Cuba and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from Washington DC. The unusual sounds experienced by the victims could be seen as the beginning of a new type of cold war.