House leaders sound alarm on CCP’s spying capabilities in Cuba

Republican leaders in the House are sounding the alarm about China’s activities in Cuba and the potential threat it poses to U.S. national security. A recent report based on open-source intelligence revealed the installation of a circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA) at the Bejucal signals intelligence site near Havana, Cuba. This antenna has the capability to detect radio signals from distances ranging between 3,000 and 8,000 miles, putting key U.S. military installations and even Washington, D.C. within its range.

House Intel Chairman Rick Crawford expressed concerns about China’s collaboration with Cuba and the increasing boldness of their actions, which he believes are detrimental to security in the Western Hemisphere. He called for efforts to counter CCP influence in the region.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlighted ongoing work on the CDAA in Cuba, noting that satellite imagery confirms its circular shape. A group of House leaders requested a briefing from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the matter to address the potential risks posed by China’s presence in Cuba.

Lawmakers emphasized the strategic implications of China’s activities in Cuba, particularly in close proximity to sensitive U.S. installations like Naval Station Guantánamo Bay and Kennedy Space Center. They raised concerns about China’s ability to monitor American capabilities, map electronic profiles of U.S. assets, and prepare for potential future exploitation.

Cuba’s history of allowing U.S. adversaries to conduct surveillance on American communications was also highlighted, with references to the Soviet Union’s surveillance facility during the Cold War. Following Russia’s presence, China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects on the island, including telecom networks built by sanctioned companies like Huawei and Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation.

Despite China denying any ties to surveillance infrastructure in Cuba, U.S. officials have long cautioned about China’s access to spying facilities on the island. Previous reports from CSIS identified four SIGINT sites as likely supporting CCP surveillance operations on the U.S., signaling the need for vigilance in monitoring China’s activities in the region.

The concerns raised by Republican leaders underscore the importance of addressing China’s influence in Cuba and safeguarding U.S. national security interests in the face of growing geopolitical challenges. It is crucial for policymakers to remain vigilant and proactive in countering potential threats posed by foreign adversaries operating in close proximity to American assets.