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The United States government has focused its foreign policy on China's growing presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba, where intelligence activities and potential military cooperation agreements between the two countries have been reported.
The administration of President Donald Trump, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the helm of U.S. diplomacy, has made it clear that it will not allow further interference from the Chinese military in the region.
One of the most concerning points for Washington is the alleged presence of Chinese espionage facilities on Cuban territory, noted analyst Gordon Guthrie Chang, known for his tough rhetoric on China, in a publication from the think tank Gatestone Institute.
A report from the Wall Street Journal indicated that, since 2019, China has been operating signal listening stations on the island, which could pose a threat to the national security of the U.S., given Cuba's proximity to the Florida coast and the concentration of military bases in the southeastern part of the country.
China and Cuba have denied these claims, calling them "baseless," although intelligence reports indicate that security cooperation between the two countries has strengthened in recent years.
The Havana regime, immersed in a severe economic crisis and with Russia preoccupied by the war in Ukraine, has found a key ally in Beijing to maintain its financial and strategic support.
Additionally, it has been reported that both nations have discussed the possibility of establishing a joint military training facility, which could involve the presence of Chinese troops just 160 kilometers from the U.S.
In response to these concerns on his agenda, the Secretary of State began his first tour of Central America and the Caribbean, reflecting a clear shift in priorities in U.S. foreign policy.
During his visit to Panama, Rubio expressed his concern over the growing Chinese influence in the region, urging the Panamanian government to reconsider its relationship with Beijing. As a result, the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, announced that his country will not renew the Belt and Road memorandum with China and may terminate the agreement before its expiration.
The U.S. government has made it clear that it will use all diplomatic and economic tools to contain China's expansion in the Western Hemisphere.
Although a direct military intervention in Cuba is unlikely, pressure on the regime in Havana is expected to increase in the coming months, Chang noted in his analysis.
The relationship between China and Cuba, described last year as an "unbreakable friendship," could be impacted if the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to counter Beijing's influence in the region.
The increasing military and intelligence cooperation between Cuba and China
The relationship between Cuba and China has garnered international attention due to reports of the presence of Chinese espionage bases on the island and an increasing military cooperation between the two countries.
In December 2024, a report from the United States detailed the existence of Chinese intelligence facilities in Cuba, located in Bejucal, Wajay, Calabazar, and El Salao. These facilities are said to be equipped with advanced signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment, raising concerns about regional security.
The Cuban government has repeatedly denied these accusations. In July 2024, the regime refuted the presence of Chinese espionage bases in its territory, describing the reports as unfounded.
Despite these denials, satellite images published in July 2024 showed an expansion of the facilities linked to China in Cuba, including a new construction located about 70 miles from the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo.
Military cooperation between Cuba and China has also been evident. In December 2024, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel received a Chinese military delegation led by General He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China. During the meeting, both parties expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral military relations.
These developments have generated concern in Washington. The United States government has expressed its unease regarding the expansion of Chinese military presence in Cuba and has warned that it is closely monitoring these activities.
Despite official denials, evidence suggests an increasing collaboration between Cuba and China in the areas of intelligence and defense, which could have significant implications for security in the Western Hemisphere.
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