Startling satellite images have exposed four suspected Chinese spy stations in Cuba, just 100 miles from Florida, as Beijing establishes a presence close to American shores. The ‘electronic eavesdropping’ facilities are reported to capture a vast amount of data from U.S. military bases, space launches, and commercial shipping, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Strategic Surveillance Locations
These facilities, situated around Havana and in the southeast of Cuba, approximately 70 miles from the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, are thought to enhance China’s ability to spy on American activities. The CSIS’s satellite imagery reveals detailed layouts of three surveillance sites near Havana and another in the island’s southeast.
White House Concerns and Strategic Positioning
This revelation follows last year’s warnings from White House officials about China’s secret operations on the Caribbean island. Beijing and Havana have reportedly been negotiating to establish a joint military training facility. Havana’s location is ideal for monitoring U.S. military operations, given the numerous bases, command centers, and space launch sites along America’s southeastern coast.
Enhanced Eavesdropping Capabilities
The CSIS’s analysis indicates that two suspected spy stations near Havana, in Bejucal and Calabazar, host large dish antennas likely intended for satellite communication and monitoring. Bejucal, a prominent surveillance site since the Cold War, has seen significant updates, including a radome to conceal its specifications.
Less than 10 kilometers north of Bejucal, a smaller facility in Wajay shows signs of military or sensitive activities, with expanded infrastructure over the past two decades. Unsubstantiated rumors suggest China’s involvement in its modernization.
New Installations Near Key U.S. Sites
A newly discovered spy station near El Salao, close to Guantanamo Bay, features a large circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA) under construction since 2021. Once operational, this facility could significantly enhance China’s air and maritime domain awareness in a region frequented by the U.S. military and its allies.
Historical Context and Ongoing Developments
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union’s largest overseas electronic spying site, Lourdes, operated near Havana. While Russia and the U.S. have advanced to new technologies, China continues to build CDAAs, including on its militarized South China Sea outposts.
Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The U.S. intelligence community’s recent threat assessment confirms China’s pursuit of military facilities in Cuba. Despite Beijing’s denial of these claims, concerns over China’s influence in Latin America and the Caribbean are growing. Chinese state banks have loaned $136 billion to Latin American countries since 2005, and China is also constructing a megaport on Peru’s Pacific coast.
Official Reactions and Statements
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China’s embassy in Washington, dismissed the allegations, accusing the U.S. of hyping up China’s surveillance activities. The Cuban embassy, the White House, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have been approached for comments on these developments.