A groundbreaking investigation has exposed multiple Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spy bases within Communist country Cuba, raising concerns of a “new Cold War”. The proximity of these spy bases to numerous sensitive American facilities has prompted warnings from bipartisan members of Congress in Florida.
Born in Cuba, Republican Federal Congressman from Florida, Carlos Gimenez, stated in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, July 3, that there is no doubt that China (CCP) has played a significant role in the construction and operation of these bases.
The latest research report released on Monday, July 1 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, revealed through space imagery that Cuba’s electronic listening stations are expanding.
CSIS analysts identified four electronic monitoring stations believed to support CCP’s use of signal intelligence (SIGINT) for spy activities against the U.S. This includes a newly constructed monitoring station approximately 70 miles from the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, believed to be associated with the CCP. CSIS emphasized the importance of SIGINT in espionage activities as it allows intelligence agencies to intercept and analyze others’ communications and electronic signals.
Gimenez elaborated on this finding, stating that the official activities of China within Cuba “remain shrouded in mystery”.
Expressing concerns regarding counterespionage efforts, Gimenez pointed out that his district is home to the Naval Air Station Key West and Homestead Air Reserve Base, both less than a mile from the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
Gimenez highlighted that the Cuban spy bases discovered by CSIS are less than 100 miles away from his district.
He noted that this indicates an increasing presence of China and Russia activities near the U.S., potentially posing a security threat.
As the only Cuban-American member of Congress, Gimenez expressed his hope for Cuba to break free from the influence of China and Russia. He warned that China could use the Cuban bases to monitor U.S. coastal military training and simulated exercises, which would allow them to anticipate U.S. reactions to a potential invasion of Taiwan.
Fox News quoted Republican Federal Congresswoman from Florida, Maria Elvira Salazar, saying, “The United States must respond with strength and tell the Cuban regime that we will not allow them to restart a new Cold War on our doorstep.”
Roger Marshall, a member of the Homeland Security Committee and Republican Federal Senator from Kansas, condemned the actions, stating, “They (CCP) not only use Cuba as a ‘spy base’ for China (CCP), but also deploy Chinese citizens (illegally entering) through our southern border, transport deadly fentanyl, steal our intellectual property, and purchase land near our military bases.”
A top national security expert stated that China is expanding its presence in Cuba and other regions to interfere with U.S. spheres of influence.
Fox News quoted Victoria Coates, former Deputy National Security Advisor in the Trump administration, saying, “The latest actions of Communist China are unprecedented. So far, the Biden administration has not responded. The next president will have the responsibility to uphold the security of the American people in this hemisphere.”
Coates mentioned that China (CCP) is also intervening in U.S. backyard affairs through its new embassy in Nassau, Bahamas, and a massive deep-water port in Chancay Port, Peru.
Some Democrats, especially those from Florida, expressed concerns about the CCP’s spy bases in Cuba. Gimenez mentioned three Democratic Federal Congress members: Deborah Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz, and Frederica Wilson.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated on Tuesday, July 2, that they would not comment, confirm, or delve into the specifics of the report. Patel emphasized that “China (CCP) activities in Cuba have been ongoing for decades… We know that China (CCP) will continue to try to strengthen its presence in Cuba, and the U.S. will continue to work to undermine these activities.”
Patel stressed, “The United States will be able to fulfill our security commitments both domestically and in that region.”