Authored by John Mills via The Epoch Times
Cuba, under years of communist rule, is strategically positioned and highly valued by China.
Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized in a congressional testimony that Cuba is a “strategic battleground” in the conflict between China and the United States. He pointed out that twenty key U.S. government facilities in Florida are within reach of the expanding Chinese Cyber and Signals Intelligence Collection network in Cuba.
Even before the decrease in Russian presence in 2002, China was already eyeing Cuba as a strategic location.
In a significant meeting in February 1999, the Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chi Haotian visited Cuba and secured an agreement with then-Defense Minister Raúl Castro, granting China access to former Soviet listening stations on the island, including the Bejucal base near the old Lourdes station.
During the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis, President John F. Kennedy publicly pledged not to invade Cuba. The Soviets agreed to remove nuclear and offensive weapons from Cuba, maintaining a reduced presence in Cuba throughout the Cold War, while the United States closely monitored Cuba from bases in southern Florida.
Expansion of Chinese Military and Intelligence Network in Cuba
In the summer of 2023, reports emerged about a Chinese spy presence in Cuba, causing a stir. Initially denied by the Pentagon, subsequent revelations confirmed the existence of Chinese spy bases in Cuba, with some activities dating back to 2019.
Further reports in July 2024 revealed that the Chinese military and intelligence footprint in Cuba was more extensive than initially reported, heightening concerns about Chinese surveillance activities near Florida.
In addition to Cuba, China has been involved in intelligence collection activities in the Gulf of America, displaying a growing presence in the region.
General Glen VanHerck highlighted the risks posed by Chinese infrastructure in the Bahamas, just 50 miles off the coast of Florida.
Cuba’s Strengthened Ties with China
During a meeting in Moscow, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez affirmed their commitment to enhancing the friendship between their nations and building a closer China–Cuba community.
China welcomed Cuba into the BRICS alliance, emphasizing the country’s significance on the international stage and further solidifying Beijing’s influence within the organization.
The CCP’s alliance with other countries such as Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and South Africa aims to challenge the United States, with Cuba potentially entering this coalition of communist and totalitarian regimes.
Financial Diplomacy in Latin America
Following a U.S.–China tariff truce, China extended a significant credit line to Latin American countries during a forum in Beijing, promoting the use of the Chinese yuan as a currency in the region.
By excluding global reserve currencies like the U.S. dollar, China seeks to deepen its economic ties in the Americas, with Cuba offering substantial returns on investment due to its strategic location near the United States.
While there may not be missiles in Cuba yet, the country’s growing alignment with China poses a new challenge reminiscent of past crises.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.
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