Recent satellite images have unveiled significant developments in Cuba’s electronic eavesdropping stations. This spy base is believed to be linked to China. These images show new construction at a previously unreported site approximately 70 miles from the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. This information highlights a growing concern about China’s increasing espionage capabilities in the region.
Growing Ties Between China and Cuba
The Wall Street Journal reported last year that China and Cuba were negotiating closer defense and intelligence ties, including the establishment of a new joint military training facility on the island and an eavesdropping facility. According to U.S. officials, Cuba and China were already jointly operating eavesdropping stations on the island, though the exact locations were undisclosed.
The relationship between China and Cuba has deep historical roots dating back to the 1960s when the two countries first established diplomatic relations. Over the decades, China has been a critical ally for Cuba, providing economic aid, military support, and political backing on the international stage.
In return, Cuba has supported China’s policies and initiatives in various international forums. The Sino-Cuban relationship has been characterized by mutual benefit and strategic alignment, with both nations often finding common ground in their opposition to U.S. policies.
Historical Context and Modern Implications
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union operated its largest overseas site for electronic spying at Lourdes, just outside Havana. This site, which hosted hundreds of Soviet, Cuban, and other Eastern-bloc intelligence officers, was closed after 2001. However, China’s involvement in Cuba’s intelligence capabilities has increased in recent years. According to a White House statement last year, China upgraded its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019.
Strategic Expansion of Spy Base
Significant upgrades and expansions in Cuba’s electronic spying facilities have been identified through satellite imagery. Four main sites have been pinpointed: Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay, and Calabazar. Some of these sites, such as the one at Bejucal, have been previously identified as listening posts. However, the satellite imagery provides new details about their capabilities, growth over the years, and likely links with China.
Espionage Threat to the U.S.
Former officials and analysts express concern that China is leveraging Cuba’s geographical proximity to the southeastern U.S. to intercept sensitive electronic communications from American military bases, space-launch facilities, and both military and commercial shipping. These facilities could also enable China to spy on U.S. citizens through telecommunications networks.
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The espionage capabilities of this spy base pose a direct threat to U.S. national security. By intercepting electronic communications, China could gain insights into U.S. military strategies, operational plans, and technological advancements. This information could be used to counter U.S. military initiatives, develop countermeasures, and gain a strategic advantage in any potential conflicts. Additionally, the ability to monitor space-launch facilities could provide China with data on U.S. space operations, including satellite deployments and missile launches.
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Bejucal, Calabazar and El Salao Spy Bases
Two sites near Havana, Bejucal and Calabazar, contain large dish antennas designed to monitor and communicate with satellites. Although Cuba does not have its own satellites, these antennas would be beneficial for China, which has a substantial space program. The newest dish antenna was installed at Bejucal in January, along with other infrastructure upgrades over the last decade.
A new spy base at El Salao, outside Santiago de Cuba, is still under construction and was previously unknown to the public. This site is near the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo and appears to be designed for a large formation of antennas known as a circularly disposed antenna array, which can intercept electronic signals. When completed, this site could potentially monitor communications from the Guantanamo base.
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These developments come amid growing concerns about Great Power competition in the Caribbean and Latin America, regions where Washington has long sought to prevent rivals from gaining military and economic advantage. China’s presence in the region is expanding, exemplified by its construction of a megaport on Peru’s Pacific coast. Additionally, Russia has demonstrated its influence by sending a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate to Havana harbor.
The expansion of suspected Chinese spy bases in Cuba represents a significant development in the geopolitical landscape. The strategic location of these facilities and their advanced capabilities pose potential threats to U.S. national security. As the U.S., China, and Russia continue to vie for influence in the region, the implications of these developments will likely have far-reaching consequences.