CIA sends message to take ‘Havana syndrome’ seriously

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:27 PM PT – Friday, September 24, 2021

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) removed its Vienna station chief for a reportedly inadequate response to Havana syndrome incidents. Reports on Thursday said U.S. officials expect the action to send a message that leaders must take the illness seriously. Sources have suggested the Vienna chief had a reputation for being skeptical that the illness was genuine.

Havana syndrome is classified as a mysterious illness with a sudden onset of symptoms including migraines, nausea, memory lapses and dizziness. However, U.S. intelligence agencies have not reached a consensus on its cause.

Approximately 200 cases of the syndrome have been reported worldwide since it was first reported by a U.S. Embassy official in Cuba back in 2016.

“No longer can the U.S. government claim we were all making it up, which they did for so long and caused not only psychological injury but also delayed medical care, which compounded injuries,” said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer. Polymeropoulos was forced to retire early as he was one of the reportedly 100 CIA officers and their family members struck with the Havana syndrome illness.

An extraordinary moment..thanks to an amazing bipartisan group in Congress/Senate-Members+staffers alike. Now on to Biden’s desk. This will provide financial relief for my USG brethren who suffered devastating injuries..and to select agency colleagues-u r heroes for pushing this. https://t.co/twmDI3XqL9

— Marc Polymeropoulos (@Mpolymer) September 22, 2021

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