A group of Canadian diplomats is accusing Ottawa of withholding information about a mysterious neurological illness—that is being referred to as the “Havana Syndrome”—which has affected both Canadian and US personnel stationed in Cuba over the last few years.
In a letter obtained by Global News, nine Canadian diplomats complained to Foreign Minister Marc Garneau that they were struggling to get answers on various symptoms they had been facing since beginning their service at the Canadian embassy in Havana, Cuba. Despite the government maintaining that the last confirmed case of “unusual health symptoms” was seen in 2018, the officials argued that “at least three additional cases were identified in 2019 and 2020,” and protested Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) decision to increase staffing in Havana as well as the length of postings, in the absence of proper information being relayed to the staff.
Around 40 Canadian and American diplomats and their families began struggling with an unexplained illness in late 2016 while living in Havana. They complained of concussion-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating. Some reported hearing strange sounds and said they experienced a sharp deterioration in their hearing and vision. Though some studies pointed to high levels of exposure to neurotoxins used in pesticide fumigation as a potential cause for the illness, there has been no definitive explanation for the ailment.
“The distortion of information misleads the public and causes significant risk to new personnel being sent to Cuba, as they are not being fully apprised of the risks to which they are exposed,” the diplomats wrote, noting that though they had been briefed about 25 Canadian diplomats being assessed for brain injuries since March 2020, there had been no follow-up. “The department continues to withhold information from diplomats and the Canadian public on the numbers of Canadians diagnosed with brain injuries to date, with the last update provided two years ago,” the letter stated.
Though Garneau’s office has not publicly commented on the matter, the GAC said that “the health, safety, and security of our diplomatic staff and their families remains a priority.” Spokesperson John Babcock added that the department could not “comment on a matter that remains before the courts.”
In related developments, US lawmakers on Thursday told NBC News that they were investigating at least two “mysterious, invisible attacks” on American soil that bore some resemblance to the Havana Syndrome. CNN reported that one of the incidents took place on White House property and targeted a National Security Council (NSC) official. US Director of National Security (DNI) Avril Haines said on Thursday that she would work with Congress to provide more information on such investigations.
Canadian Diplomats Say Government Withholding Information on ‘Havana Syndrome’ Cases
Despite the government maintaining that the last confirmed case of “unusual health symptoms” was seen in 2018, the officials argued that “at least 3 additional cases were identified in 2019 and 2020.”
April 30, 2021
SOURCE: NBC NEWS