US tests device suspected of causing ‘Havana syndrome’: ‘Head injuries, severe headaches and dizziness’

The US Department of Defense is testing a device that could be linked to the mysterious “Havana syndrome,” first reported in 2016 by US diplomats in Cuba. The device would emit pulsating radio waves and could cause symptoms similar to head trauma.

Starting in 2025 the Pentagon has been testing a device that could be linked to the so-called “Havana syndrome,” a mysterious condition that initially appeared among American diplomats in the Cuban capital. They complained of symptoms such as “severe headaches and dizziness,” described as similar to those caused by head trauma.

According to a CNN report, citing four informed sources, the device was purchased in a covert operation by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) branch of the US Department of Homeland Security, right at the end of the Joe Biden administration. The funding was provided by the Pentagon, and the cost reportedly reached “six figures” in dollars. The device is currently in the study phase, the US authorities claim.

Pulsed radio waves and components made in Russia

One of the sources cited by CNN said the device emits pulsed radio waves, a technology that has long been rumoured as a possible cause of these incidents. While the device is not entirely of Russian origin, it does contain components made in Russia.

However, an important question remains: how can such advanced technology be portable, given that the device could fit in a simple backpack.

A syndrome reported worldwide and contradictory conclusions

The emergence of this equipment reignited discussions about the “Havana syndrome”, which was later documented in several countries and affected not only diplomats but also military and other officials.

To date, the Pentagon, HSI, and the Department of Homeland Security have not provided an official response to CNN’s requests for statements on the situation, and the CIA has also declined to comment.

yogaesoteric
February 17, 2026