A high-ranking official from MINREX denies the existence of Chinese espionage bases in Cuba: "Find another lie!"

Johana Tablada de la Torre, Deputy Director for North America at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), firmly rejected U.S. accusations that there are spy bases operated by China in Cuban territory.

"There are no Chinese espionage bases in Cuba, and the U.S. government knows it very well. Find another lie!" wrote Tablada de la Torre in a recent Facebook post, adding to his message the typical defiant and categorical tone that characterizes his public statements.

His statements arise in the context of renewed diplomatic tension between Cuba and the United States, following the release of a report by U.S. intelligence agencies asserting the presence of Chinese infrastructure on the island, which is used for the collection of sensitive data about the United States.

The reports have intensified in recent months, highlighting a growing influence of Beijing in the Caribbean, which has raised concerns in Washington.

Havana's response, through a senior official of the regime and its foreign minister, seeks to discredit U.S. intelligence reports, accusing them of being a "political ploy" to justify economic and diplomatic sanctions against Cuba.

Accusations of Chinese Espionage: The Background of the Allegations

The issue of Chinese espionage bases in Cuba is not new, but it has gained particular significance following recent revelations.

In June 2023, the Biden administration confirmed the existence of a Chinese facility on the island, allegedly used to gather intelligence information about the United States.

This facility would have been part of a strategic agreement between Havana and Beijing, which includes financial support for the struggling Cuban economy in exchange for its cooperation in espionage activities.

A report released in December 2024 by U.S. intelligence sources expanded on these revelations, detailing that these bases operate with advanced technology and specialized personnel, and are designed to intercept sensitive communications originating from U.S. territory.

Washington expressed concern that these activities are part of a broader effort by China to consolidate its influence in Latin America, using Cuba as a strategic point due to its proximity to Florida and other key U.S. security installations.

Among the activities attributed to these alleged bases are the interception of satellite signals, military communication networks, and data from U.S. government agencies.

According to the report, the Cuban regime has reportedly allowed these operations as part of its political and economic alliance with China, at a time when U.S. sanctions continue to suffocate the Cuban economy.

The denials of the Cuban regime

The Cuban regime has consistently dismissed these accusations, labeling them as fabrications by the United States.

In several public statements, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and other figures of the regime, including Tablada de la Torre herself, have insisted that there are no foreign espionage bases in the country.

In June 2023, Rodríguez stated that these accusations were part of a “disinformation campaign” to justify the policy of “blockade” against Cuba.

The regime has also stated that Cuba does not allow activities that compromise its sovereignty. However, these statements contradict the increasing number of reports concerning the Chinese presence on the island and the close economic ties between the two countries.

In July 2024, Havana again denied the allegations following the publication of another report in the United States, insisting that such claims were unfounded.

Johana Tablada de la Torre: An unwavering defender of the regime in a key position

Johana Tablada de la Torre has established herself as one of the leading voices of the Cuban regime in its defense against accusations from the United States.

As the Deputy Director of MINREX for North America, her work focuses on addressing U.S. criticisms of the regime and reinforcing the official narrative in international forums.

Tablada has been at the center of numerous controversies. In April 2023, he dismissed the allegations related to the "Havana Syndrome," stating that it was a "fabricated story" to justify aggressive policies against the island, and labeled the United States' "paranoia" as the "Washington Syndrome."

In the same year, he accused the United States of wanting to "destroy the Cuban Revolution against the will of the people," a recurring argument in his speech. His rhetoric is characterized by a combination of direct confrontation and a strong adherence to the regime's narrative, which is always presented as a victim of U.S. policies.

On the international stage, Tablada de la Torre has been identified as a key figure in justifying the repressive actions of the regime.

In 2019, she defended the actions of the Cuban police against independent journalists, arguing that they were necessary measures to protect "public order." In 2023, she was included in a list of "repressors" compiled by Cuban activists in exile, who accuse her of covering up human rights violations.

Furthermore, the official has justified the constitutional prohibition of ideological plurality on the island, asserting that Cuba's stability depends on socialism and that any attempt to change the political system is a direct attack on national sovereignty.

Once again, Johana Tablada's statements regarding the Chinese espionage bases in Cuba illustrate the Cuban regime's efforts to discredit any accusation that challenges its particular narrative.

However, revelations from U.S. reports regarding the presence of Chinese intelligence infrastructure on the island fuel tensions between the two countries and highlight Cuba's strategic role in the geopolitical conflict between Washington and Beijing.

While the regime insists on denying these accusations, Tablada's statements reflect the official line of a totalitarian regime that finds itself in an increasingly vulnerable position on the international stage.

Her figure, as an unwavering defender of the system, exemplifies the regime's strategy to maintain its grip on power, justifying questionable alliances and dismissing any critical remarks from abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chinese Espionage Allegations in Cuba