Bloomberg reported a rift among US intelligence agencies over the "Havana syndrome"

New findings have led two U.S. intelligence agencies to conclude that a small number of illnesses called "Havana syndrome" affecting spies, soldiers and diplomats around the world may have been caused by new foreign weapons. This was reported by Bloomberg news agency on January 10.

According to experts, foreign intelligence services may be behind the development of the weapons. The authors of the research said that there is a low probability that foreign agents used a new weapon or prototype device to harm U.S. diplomats.

A spokesman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence emphasized that analysts cannot rule out such a possibility in a small number of cases. Even so, he said, most intelligence offices agree that years of analyzing information have not produced conclusive reports.

"Havana syndrome" is an abnormal condition first documented in U.S. diplomats in Cuba in 2016 and 2017, and later in China in 2018. Key symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches and hearing problems. The U.S. has been searching unsuccessfully for more than five years for the cause of the disease, which has affected several hundred people over the years.

Earlier, on April 1, 2024, CBS News suspected Russian intelligence agencies of involvement in cases of "Havana syndrome" in U.S. diplomats and officials. According to the journalists' statements, which they voiced on March 31 during the "60 Minutes" program, there is evidence of involvement of Russian intelligence services.

Before that, on March 1, 2023, The Washington Post, citing a U.S. intelligence report, reported that there is currently no data that could indicate that leaders of other countries, including Russia, know anything about the syndrome or have in any way authorized poisoning attacks on U.S. personnel.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova then commented on the conclusions of US intelligence on the non-involvement of foreign agents, including Russia, in the "Havana syndrome." She noted that at some stage of the investigation, US intelligence had a version that crickets were the cause of the American diplomats' ill health. However, this version was later rejected and "Russia was again taken up.