Hidden Intelligence in Cuba: A New Challenge for U.S. Security?

Hidden Intelligence in Cuba: A New Challenge for U.S. Security?

China is building spy stations just 90 miles from Florida, with satellite images revealing four Cuban military bases expanding intelligence capabilities that could monitor U.S. military operations.

At a Glance

  • Satellite imagery shows Cuba enhancing intelligence capabilities at four military bases with suspected Chinese involvement
  • New construction includes electronic antenna enclosures and radar equipment near Havana and Guantanamo Bay
  • A circular antenna array in Bejucal can intercept radio signals from up to 8,000 miles away, covering U.S. military bases and Washington, D.C.
  • House Republicans warn these facilities could “establish a forward operating base for electronic warfare” against America
  • Both China and Cuba have denied the allegations, calling the reports “malicious smearing”

Communist Spies in America’s Backyard

While America’s southern border remains wide open to illegal immigrants, the Chinese Communist Party is setting up sophisticated spy operations just 90 miles from Florida. New satellite images analyzed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveal Cuba is enhancing intelligence capabilities at four military bases that appear linked to Chinese operations. The construction and expansion of these sites represent a direct threat to American military communications, potentially compromising national security at a time when tensions with China continue to escalate.

The most concerning development is at Bejucal, a major signals intelligence station that has undergone significant upgrades, including a new electronic antenna enclosure. According to the CSIS report, this site now features a circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA) that can intercept radio signals from an astonishing 3,000-8,000 miles away. This range easily encompasses numerous U.S. military installations and the nation’s capital. Additional sites near Havana at Wajay and Calabazar are expanding with new antennae and radar equipment, while a new facility is under construction at El Salao, suspiciously close to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.

Pentagon Downplays While Congress Sounds Alarm

The Biden administration’s response to this growing threat has been predictably tepid. The Pentagon’s press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, offered hollow assurances while acknowledging the problem: “We know that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] is going to continue to try to enhance its presence in Cuba, and we will continue to keep working to disrupt that.” Yet no concrete actions have been announced to counter these installations that could be monitoring and compromising U.S. military communications and intercepting satellite data right now.

“In response, a group of prominent House Republicans wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, warning that ‘if left unchecked, the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] activities in Cuba could establish a forward operating base for electronic warfare, enable intelligence collection, and influence operations that directly undermine U.S. national security interests.'”

This isn’t a new development either. U.S. officials confirmed that China upgraded its intelligence facilities in Cuba back in 2019, and The Wall Street Journal previously reported that China was paying Cuba to build a spy facility. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has declined to comment on the latest findings, which is hardly reassuring when foreign adversaries are setting up sophisticated intelligence-gathering operations on America’s doorstep.

China’s Strategic Encirclement

The Chinese government, predictably, denies everything. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, responded by saying: “The U.S. should immediately stop its malicious smearing of China.” Cuba likewise rejected the CSIS report, calling it slander and claiming it lacks evidence. Their denials ring hollow given the detailed satellite imagery and ongoing construction activities documented at these sites over several years.

“In their letter, the prominent House Republicans wrote: ‘The PRC is positioning itself to systematically erode U.S. strategic advantages without ever firing a shot.'”

These Cuban facilities represent just one piece of China’s global strategy to challenge American influence and military superiority. By establishing listening posts so close to Florida, China gains the ability to monitor commercial communications data throughout the southeastern United States, potentially accessing sensitive information from military bases, government facilities, and private businesses. The proximity allows for real-time intelligence gathering that could prove devastating in any future conflict or diplomatic standoff. While Americans are distracted by domestic issues, the Chinese Communist Party is quietly positioning assets to compromise our national security infrastructure.

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