In a shocking revelation, the Biden administration has acknowledged the existence of a Chinese spy base in Cuba. This intelligence outpost, reportedly operative since 2019, is located just 90 miles south of Florida – a stone’s throw from America’s southern border.
An unnamed official from the White House confirmed that the base is part of a more extensive initiative by China to upgrade its global intelligence-gathering capabilities. The disclosure comes after earlier reports suggesting the existence of such a base were dismissed as “inaccurate” by both the Biden administration and the Cuban government.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby previously refuted these allegations in an MSNBC interview, stating, “I’ve seen that press report, it’s not accurate.”
Biden Administration: Nothing to see here. 👇
US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 | AP News. https://t.co/2XTOx47Qk4
— Dash Riprock 🇺🇸 (@PhilMcCrackin44) June 11, 2023
Notably, this startling revelation was not an abrupt discovery but something the U.S. intelligence community was aware of for some time. The administration official stated it was an “ongoing matter” and “not a new development,” indicating a considerable lapse in disclosure to the public.
What does this mean for Biden’s administration which has faced mounting criticism for handling China’s expanding influence? They’ve claimed to be “concerned since day one of this administration about China’s influence activities around the world,” yet, it seems China’s footprints continue to creep closer to our shores.
China’s alarming decision to place a spy base in Cuba follows a pattern of strategic posturing. An official disclosed that Chinese officials considered multiple global sites, spanning the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific, before selecting Cuba. The facility underwent an upgrade for the spying operation in 2019, further cementing China’s presence in our hemisphere.
The Biden administration asserts it has attempted to counter China’s efforts to expand its spy operations through diplomacy and other unspecified actions. However, as the situation currently stands, China’s spy base remains operational in Cuba.
This development and tensions due to the U.S. shooting down a Chinese spy balloon and the Taiwanese President’s U.S. visit point toward more diplomatic difficulties ahead.
Last week’s unsettling revelation underscores the complexity and urgency of the China problem facing the U.S. The Biden administration’s initial denial and subsequent confirmation of the base suggest that a more robust and proactive strategy may be required to deal effectively with China’s growing influence.
