‘Something Happened Here’: Rubio Skeptical of Intel Absolving Foreign Adversaries of ‘Havana Syndrome’ Allegations

Senator Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) expressed skepticism regarding a new report from the intelligence community which concluded that “Havana Syndrome”— the mysterious ailment which has stricken hundreds of U.S. personnel around the world — was not caused by foreign adversaries.

Seven intelligence agencies participated in the review, with most concluding it was “very unlikely” that a foreign adversary was responsible. Officials told the Washington Post they did not believe the syndrome was intentionally caused through a directed energy weapon or as a byproduct of some other activity like electronic surveillance.

The syndrome first emerged in 2016 among U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Cuba who complained of hearing piercing sounds coming from one direction as well as acute nausea and vertigo. Hundreds of others serving in U.S. missions globally have since reported so-called anomalous health incidents (AHI).

“As I have said before, something happened here and just because you don’t have all the answers, doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. I will not accept that all these reported cases were just coincidences and I will continue to work on this issue until we receive real explanations,” explained Rubio, who is vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, in a statement.

Rubio added that the committee will continue independently reviewing the AHIs.

Senator Mark Warner (D., Va.), the committee’s chairman, explained in a statement that the findings will be assessed and the committee will continue to hold the intelligence community accountable.

“Make no mistake: the priority of this Committee remains the safety, security, and well-being of the intelligence workforce and their families,” said Warner. “We will continue to hold the Intelligence Community accountable for ensuring that those officers who have reported being affected by AHIs are being treated with the respect, dignity, and care they deserve, as required by Congress under the HAVANA Act.”

The syndrome has cut careers short and caused those suffering to rack up medical bills.

The law mentioned by Warner specifically authorized the CIA, the Department of State, and other agencies to provide payments to agency personnel who incur brain injuries from hostilities while on assignment. Eligible persons are reportedly entitled to compensation in the six-figure range.

The seven agencies which made the determination that foreign adversary involvement was unlikely differed in their degree of confidence. The CIA was one of them.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines explained in a statement that “agencies have varying confidence levels because we still have gaps given the challenges collecting on foreign adversaries.”

She added that “preexisting conditions, conventional illnesses, and environmental factors” are more likely explanations, but said that the intelligence community does “not call into question the very real experiences” of their colleagues.

Attorney Mark Zaid, who represents dozens of clients and their family members affected by the syndrome, clued Politico in on their reaction to the news.

“They are very demoralized by today’s assessment. One said the report is ‘humiliating, so disheartening.’ Another said ‘today is just so terrible;’ yet another argued ‘the findings are particularly egregious,'” said Zaid, explaining that one client broke down in tears.

Zaid said he has no doubt there are “still some within the government who believe that it’s psychosomatic but it’s a minority view.”

“What they’re presenting today is the absence of evidence. And to be able to refute things is very difficult because of the classified nature of most of these incidents,” Zaid added.