Satellite images have disclosed that China is enlarging its electronic surveillance operations in Cuba. These new facilities are located approximately 70 miles from the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, increasing concerns about espionage activities close to American soil.

In a 2022 agreement, China and Cuba decided to strengthen their defense and intelligence cooperation. This agreement included setting up a joint military training facility and expanding an existing spy base. U.S. officials have confirmed that China and Cuba have been collaborating on these espionage operations for some time.

The geographic proximity of Cuba to the United States gives the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) a strategic advantage. It allows China to intercept crucial communications from American military and space facilities. Moreover, these eavesdropping stations bolster China’s ability to spy on U.S. citizens through telecommunications networks.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has identified enhancements at four locations in Cuba using satellite imagery: Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay, and Calabazar. The Bejucal site has been upgraded to improve satellite monitoring and communication, which aids China’s military and space programs. The newest facility, El Salao, is strategically positioned to intercept communications from Guantanamo Bay.

Cuba’s role as a hub for espionage is not new. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union operated a signals intelligence site near Havana. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 nearly led to nuclear conflict due to the Soviet attempt to place missiles on the island.

The Biden administration has yet to comment on these recent developments in Cuba. Under the current administration, the CCP has become increasingly audacious in its espionage activities against the United States. A notable example was the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the U.S. unchallenged for weeks in 2023, underlining the escalating espionage threat posed by China.