The Bamboozler

Electronic Warfare, High-Power Microwaves, and the “Ringing” Reports in Venezuela

Following the January 3, 2026 U.S. military operation in Venezuela — widely referred to as Operation Absolute Resolve — reports surfaced describing unusual “ringing” or “whistling” sensations experienced by Venezuelan personnel during the raid.

Some online discussions quickly labeled the event a “sonic weapon.” However, a sonic system alone would not explain simultaneous radar failure, communications blackout, and infrastructure disruption. A more plausible explanation involves layered electronic warfare (EW), high-power microwave (HPM) systems, cyber operations — and possibly other non-kinetic technologies operating in combination.

Sonic Weapons vs. Electromagnetic Systems

Acoustic devices such as the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) are real and publicly documented. These systems project high-intensity sound for crowd control or communication. However, they do not disable radar networks, fry electronics, or shut down power grids.

By contrast, electronic warfare platforms are specifically designed to disrupt or neutralize electronic systems. Aircraft such as the EA-18G Growler specialize in wideband radar jamming and electronic attack.

The Microwave Auditory Effect (Frey Effect)

The microwave auditory effect — first described by neuroscientist Allan H. Frey in 1961 — demonstrates that pulsed microwave radiation can create the perception of sound directly inside the human head, without airborne audio waves.

How it works:

• Microwave pulses are absorbed by tissue in the head.
• This causes extremely small, rapid thermal expansion.
• The expansion generates pressure waves inside the skull.
• The brain interprets those waves as buzzing, clicking, or ringing.

Peer-reviewed discussions of the phenomenon can be found in scientific literature, including:

• Frey, A. H. (1961). Human auditory system response to modulated electromagnetic energy.
• NIH / National Library of Medicine review: Microwave Auditory Effect Analysis
• Research review summary: The Microwave Auditory Effect (ResearchGate)

Importantly, while the Frey effect is scientifically documented, researchers debate whether it can be weaponized at scale for reliable incapacitation.

High-Power Microwave (HPM) Weapons

High-Power Microwave systems are a class of directed-energy weapons designed to disrupt or damage electronic systems rather than produce audible sound.

Documented U.S. research programs include:

• U.S. Office of Naval Research overview of directed-energy systems: ONR Directed Energy Overview
• U.S. Air Force THOR (Tactical High-Power Operational Responder): AFRL THOR Program

HPM systems can overload circuitry, disable radar arrays, disrupt communications, and potentially damage electronics outright. This aligns more closely with reports of simultaneous equipment failure than an acoustic device would.

The 88-Minute Blackout Window

Reports suggest Venezuelan systems failed for roughly 88 minutes during the initial phase of the operation. That timeframe is consistent with coordinated electronic warfare and cyber operations designed to isolate command networks and neutralize defenses.

Layered operations may include:

• Wideband radar jamming
• Cyber network disruption
• Electromagnetic interference
• Potential directed-energy counter-electronics systems

If personnel reported “ringing” sensations during the same window, it is conceivable that electromagnetic activity could have interacted with human sensory systems. However, no official confirmation exists detailing which specific systems were used.

Could Sonic Systems Have Been Used?

While a sonic weapon alone would not account for widespread electronic failure, it is theoretically possible that acoustic systems could be used in combination with electronic warfare for disorientation or crowd control. Publicly documented systems such as LRAD demonstrate that high-intensity sound projection technology exists.

That said, the evidence supporting radar and communications failure points far more strongly toward electromagnetic and cyber operations as the primary mechanism.

What the Evidence Supports

• No verified evidence of a standalone “sonic superweapon.”
• Strong scientific documentation of the microwave auditory (Frey) effect.
• Established military development of High-Power Microwave systems.
• Well-documented electronic warfare aircraft and platforms.
• No public confirmation of specific classified systems used in the operation.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available scientific literature and defense research materials. Operational details surrounding military actions may remain classified. This analysis does not claim confirmation of any specific weapon system being used and relies solely on open-source information.