The CIA has shifted its stance, now assessing with “low confidence” that the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab leak in China, rather than natural human-animal transmission.
This marks a departure from the agency’s earlier neutral position.
The updated assessment, based on existing intelligence rather than new findings, was part of a review initiated during the Biden administration’s final weeks and finalized before President Trumpโs inauguration.
New CIA Director John Ratcliffe emphasized prioritizing clarity on the virus’ origins, expressing his belief that a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the most plausible explanation.
The Wuhan lab has previously faced scrutiny over its bat coronavirus research. China has dismissed these allegations as attempts to defame Beijing, maintaining it has been transparent about the outbreak.
The debate over COVID-19’s origins remains unresolved among U.S. agencies.
