Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

U.S. officials reported Havana syndrome symptoms in Colombia

In this March 22, 2019 file photo, an American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In this March 22, 2019 file photo, an American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Share

More than a dozen U.S. officials who work at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia and their family members have reported symptoms consistent with "in recent weeks, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the situation.

Some officials who reported symptoms in Colombia had to be medevaced from the country, including a family with a minor, the sources said. A few of those impacted have previously reported incidents of the mysterious illness when they were based in other countries, one source said.

The incidents, which are now among hundreds the U.S. is investigating, come as Secretary of State Tony Blinken is planning to visit Bogota next week.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price would not comment on reported incidents in Colombia or on Blinken's upcoming travel during the department briefing on Tuesday.

Price said that any U.S. officials who are impacted by the mysterious illness would

The Wall Street Journal on the incidents in Colombia.

Top Biden administration officials' international travel has been impacted by reported incidents of Havana syndrome twice in recent months.

The State Department is now alerting U.S. officials about reported cases when they occur at missions where they are serving.

But the department is not publicly releasing basic information such as the number of people affected and locations of the incidents -- data that the State Department used to release publicly in news briefings about the incidents in Cuba and China.

U.S. investigators have struggled to determine what or who is causing the symptoms and how exactly they are doing it.

Incidents of Havana syndrome began in late 2016 in Cuba and there have since been cases reported in Russia, China, Austria and other countries across the globe. The Biden administration continues to investigate the matter.

Last week, President Joe Biden long-delayed legislation to provide support for victims of the strange confluence of symptoms that have sickened diplomats, spies and service members around the globe.

"I was pleased to sign the HAVANA Act into law to ensure we are doing our utmost to provide for U.S. Government personnel who have experienced anomalous health incidents," Biden said in a statement that notably referred to the episodes as "incidents" rather than "attacks," as top Senate Intelligence Committee lawmakers have done.

"Addressing these incidents has been a top priority for my Administration," he said following the closed-door signing on Friday.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.