"Havana Syndrome" | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

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Targeting Americans (2019) (00:00:11)

In 2016 and 2017, 25 Americans, including CIA agents in Cuba, and at least 15 American officials in China experienced unexplained brain injuries, known as "Havana Syndrome," causing symptoms such as impaired vision, memory loss, headaches, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light, intense pressure in the temples, humming sounds, and sleep difficulties.
Mark Lindsay, a State Department security officer in China, and his wife, as well as Katherine Warner, a US Commerce Department trade officer living nearby, reported similar symptoms after hearing strange sounds in their apartments. They suspect a directed energy weapon, possibly a high-powered microwave system weapon, was used against them due to their work.
Former NSA employee Mike Beck believes he and a colleague were exposed to a similar microwave weapon during an overseas assignment in the 1990s, which may have caused his Parkinson's disease.
The University of Pennsylvania Center for Brain Injury and Repair is conducting a study on the brain injuries of patients affected by "Havana Syndrome," and their findings align with Dr. Tina Shetty's observations of mild traumatic brain injury symptoms without associated head trauma.
The State Department confirmed Katherine Werner's case in Guangxi, China, but is raising doubts about the other 14 China cases, leading to concerns about geopolitical motivations and the minimization of the situation due to trade relations with China.
The affected individuals, including Robin and Britt Garfield and their children, are experiencing various symptoms such as electric shock sensations, paralysis, blurred vision, and loss of balance.
The State Department's refusal to acknowledge the China cases as attacks has significant impacts on the affected individuals, including limited access to benefits, financial strain, and uncertainty about medical coverage.
The FBI is investigating the cause of the injuries, suspecting Cuba, China, and Russia's involvement. The technology used, possibly microwaves, is not uncommon and could be employed by multiple countries.
U.S. intelligence is still debating the exact cause of the injuries, and the affected individuals were unaware of the danger they were in.
Canada has also reported 15 cases of individuals affected in Cuba, including diplomats and their families.

Targeting Americans (2022, Part 1) (00:13:48)

U.S. government officials and their families have reported sudden unexplained brain injuries (IES) with symptoms like vertigo, confusion, and memory loss since 2016.
The CIA, FBI, and State Department are investigating the theory that some of these officials were injured by an unseen weapon.
Incidents have been reported in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, including on the grounds of the White House.
Former Trump Administration officials Olivia Troy and Miles Taylor reported experiencing concussion-like symptoms while on official trips abroad.
Robin Garfield, a Commerce Department official, and his family were repeatedly targeted in China and later during treatment in Philadelphia.
Garfield's children exhibited unusual symptoms such as thrashing in their beds and hearing distinct sounds.
The condition, initially known as "Havana Syndrome," affected more than two dozen embassy personnel in Cuba starting in 2016.
Despite initial skepticism, affected individuals are speaking out to raise awareness and demand recognition of their injuries.
A former embassy official criticizes the U.S. government's handling of the situation and calls for action to stop the incidents and identify the responsible parties.

Targeting Americans (2022, Part 2) (00:30:11)

The CIA is investigating a series of unexplained brain injuries, known as "Havana Syndrome," affecting US officials in Washington and abroad, with approximately two dozen cases that remain unexplained.
CIA Director William Burns has met with affected officers and their families, demonstrating a commitment to finding the cause of these injuries.
Medical evidence suggests clear damage to the auditory and vestibular systems of the brain, with some cases experiencing sudden intense pressure or vibration in the face or head, accompanied by a loud sound.
Pulsed electromagnetic energy, potentially from portable microwave transmitters, is considered the most likely cause of the injuries, as they can penetrate walls and other materials.
Despite ongoing investigations, the US intelligence community has not identified a single cause for the over a thousand "Havana Syndrome" incidents reported since 2016, and no foreign actor or external device has been linked to any of the cases.
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Homeland Security Chief of Staff Miles Taylor have expressed concerns about the potential threat to high-level government officials, as the incidents could potentially incapacitate the president and top officials.
President Biden raised the issue with Russian President Putin during a meeting in Geneva, but the Russians deny any involvement.

Inside the story (00:41:18)

U.S. and Canadian officials and their families have been experiencing unexplained neurological symptoms, known as "Havana Syndrome," while living overseas since 2016.
The symptoms include loud sounds, ear pain, blackouts, vision loss, nosebleeds, and fainting spells.
The attacks have affected not only the officials but also their spouses and children, raising concerns about the well-being of those involved.
One theory is that these individuals have been targeted with a microwave device or weapon designed to incapacitate them.
Despite the severity of the symptoms, some officials felt that their concerns were not taken seriously by their respective governments.