China Builds Intelligence Hub in Cuba

WSJ: China is building a spy base in Cuba

China Pays Billions to Cuba for Espionage Base: What This Means for Diplomatic Relations

The People’s Republic of China has reportedly agreed in principle to build a massive espionage base in Cuba, paying billions of dollars to the island nation for the privilege. This news, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, has raised alarms in Washington due to Cuba’s location near the southeastern United States. While retired Rear Admiral John Kirby has denied the accuracy of the report, it is clear that a Chinese surveillance system in Cuba would send a strong signal to the US, and could undermine efforts by US President Joe Biden to improve relations with Cuba.

History of Cuban Missile Crisis Looms

The report on China’s possible espionage base in Cuba has brought back memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Back then, the Soviet Union stationed over 40,000 soldiers and 230,000 tons of equipment on the island, including dozens of medium-range missiles with approximately 80 nuclear warheads. This led to the US imposing a naval blockade of Cuba and the world being on the brink of nuclear war. After negotiations between the US and the Soviet Union, a deal was reached where Soviet nuclear missiles would be withdrawn from Cuba and American nuclear missiles from Turkey. Cuba’s dictator at the time, Fidel Castro, was not happy with the outcome.

Taiwan/China and Cuba/USA Parallels

Today, China is reportedly paying Cuba billions of dollars for a large espionage base, sending a signal that it wants to do the same as the Americans. Taiwan, on the other hand, is as far from China as Cuba is from the US. The US supplies weapons to Taiwan and a small contingent of US soldiers is training Taiwanese soldiers on-site. The US also repeatedly flies reconnaissance flights in the Formosa Strait between Taiwan and China, causing annoyance in Beijing. A Chinese surveillance system in Cuba would communicate that China is willing to be just as involved in espionage as the US.

Cuba’s Economic Needs

While a Chinese espionage base may be seen as undermining US diplomatic efforts with Cuba, China’s billions may be much-needed financing for Cuba. The island is currently in a deep economic and supply crisis, with the pandemic-related slump in tourism and tightening US sanctions decreasing Cuba’s foreign exchange earnings significantly. This year, the May Day parade had to be canceled for the first time since the 1959 revolution due to economic reasons.

Possible Construction of Espionage Base

While the Wall Street Journal was unable to find out exactly where China’s facility will be built in Cuba or if construction has already begun, the base must be significantly larger than bugging antennas that can be installed on embassy buildings. The US has had a naval base, Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba for the last 120 years – much to the indignity of the communist government in Cuba. They consider the lease concluded in 1903 and extended indefinitely in 1934 to be invalid, and the use as a prison camp for possible terrorists is not covered by the contract, which only provides for military use.

Recent History of Russian Bases in Cuba

From 1962 until 2001/2002, there was a Soviet interception base in Cuba, and over 1,500 men are said to have worked there at the time, including staff from other Eastern Bloc countries. Russia has even proposed reopening the facility in recent years. As such, it is clear that while the possible construction of a Chinese espionage base in Cuba is raising eyebrows, it is not entirely unprecedented.

The Future of Cuban-Chinese Relations

Perhaps an even bigger question than where the Chinese surveillance system will be built in Cuba is what this means for future diplomatic relations between China, Cuba, and the US. Whether this base is built or not, it is clear that Cuba is in a financial bind and may be willing to accept assistance from any country that offers it. The US, for its part, is likely to keep a close eye on what’s going on in Cuba, no matter which foreign power is involved.

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