US pays out $3 million in first Havana Syndrome compensation

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the first payments under the HAVANA Act, disbursing nearly $3 million in compensation to victims of the mysterious "Havana Syndrome." The ministry stated that caring for affected agents is its top priority.

Beginning in 2016, American and Canadian diplomats stationed in Cuba reported experiencing a range of debilitating symptoms, including migraines, vertigo, nausea, and vision problems. These "anomalous health incidents," as they are termed in the U.S., have since been reported globally, affecting personnel in countries like China, Germany, Australia, Russia, and Austria, and even within Washington D.C.

The origin of the syndrome has been a subject of intense speculation since its emergence. While some U.S. officials initially downplayed the symptoms, attributing them to stress, others privately suggested possible attacks, with Russia being a suspected perpetrator. However, a joint intelligence assessment in January 2025 deemed it "very unlikely" that a foreign adversary was responsible.

Despite the intelligence assessment, an investigation by The Insider, Der Spiegel, and CBS suggested that Russian sonic weapons might have been used against diplomats. Moscow has consistently denied these accusations as baseless. In 2017, amid suspicions of electronic warfare, the U.S. withdrew non-essential personnel from its newly reopened embassy in Havana and expelled Cuban diplomats.

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The ministry has as its priority the care of the affected agents and has disbursed nearly $3 million in compensation, the first payments made by the government within the framework of the HAVANA Act.