The FBI released a video this Tuesday in which officials from its Counterintelligence and Espionage Division warned that Cuba poses a top-tier espionage threat against the United States.
The video, titled "Cuba: The Neighborhood Spy," features a roundtable discussion with a special agent and an intelligence analyst, who stated that the small island—just 90 miles from the U.S. coast—has operated for decades with an effectiveness that few would expect from a nation of its size. The interview, also shared on the official FBI account on X, included Josh Obsfeld, senior executive director for External Engagement of the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division; special agent Aliza; and Tiffany, senior national intelligence analyst for counterintelligence.
“Cuba has punched well above its weight for a long time. For such a small island, it has really been a thorn in our side because they are very good at what they do,” said Special Agent Aliza during the discussion.
Officials explained that the Cuban regime views the United States as an existential threat and has dedicated consistent resources to its intelligence services, even during the worst economic times.
“In the 90s, they went through the Special Period. They lost all Soviet subsidies, but their intelligence services were funded. Now people are asking what is happening with Cuba's economy, but it's going to be the same,” Tiffany noted.
The FBI emphasized that, despite its size, Havana has developed a sustained strategy to stay ahead of potential actions from Washington, gather sensitive information, and even influence U.S. political decisions.
“They have always wanted to get a head start on any possible actions by the United States and have invested a lot of time and effort in gathering information,” Aliza explained.
The turning point in the American understanding of this threat came in 1987.
That year, the Cuban defector Florentino Aspillaga revealed something devastating: practically all the agents that the CIA believed they had in Cuba were double agents controlled by Fidel Castro's government.
"That was a punch in the stomach," acknowledged agent Aliza.
From then on, the FBI and the intelligence community began to grasp the magnitude of the problem. It was not just about double agents, but a much broader network of infiltration within the U.S. government itself.
This is how the investigation into what came to be known as "The Network" began, a web of infiltrated Cuban agents, many of whom were recruited from a young age for ideological reasons.
“It was a group of students who had been recruited while studying or teaching at Ivy League universities. They saw the Cuban Revolution as something aspirational, and the Cubans took advantage of that,” Aliza explained.
According to the FBI, this early recruitment strategy has been key to the success of Cuban espionage, as it allows agents to be placed in sensitive positions for years without raising suspicion.
“With these individuals, they have arrived in government already recruited, already motivated. There are no changes. They are a legend. They live their life”, warned Tiffany, emphasizing that these profiles do not show typical signs such as financial problems or behavioral changes.
The most emblematic cases of this network include Ana Belén Montes, a senior analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency, who spied for Cuba for over 15 years. During her sentencing, she stated: "I obeyed my conscience more than the law."
Walter Kendall Myers and his wife Gwendolyn, from the State Department, are also notable figures; they were convicted in 2009 for providing classified information to Havana.
Most recently, there is the case of Víctor Manuel Rocha, former ambassador to Bolivia, arrested in December 2023 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was described by authorities as responsible for "one of the most extensive and long-lasting infiltrations" in the U.S. government.
The FBI emphasized that detecting this type of espionage is particularly difficult, as it involves operations carried out by highly sophisticated actors, backed by states and with decades of experience.
"We are not looking for someone who stole a car. We are taking on entire governments with machinery dedicated to hiding their agents,” Tiffany explained.
Despite this, officials emphasized that all cases ultimately end up being investigated and eventually dismantled, although the process can take years due to the complexity of reconstructing the networks.
Obsfeld also issued a direct warning to anyone who might consider collaborating with foreign intelligence services.
"If Cubans couldn't protect their spies, then honestly, no one is going to protect you from the FBI," he stated.
The official added that espionage remains one of the oldest and most persistent threats against the United States.
"It is the oldest hostile activity, and probably the most dangerous, because it seeks to steal our secrets," he stated.
The FBI advised the public to remain vigilant against potential manipulation attempts, especially in academic or professional settings where sensitive information is handled.
"You don’t need to be paranoid, but you should stay alert," Tiffany concluded, while urging everyone to report any suspicious situations to the authorities or the institutional security personnel.
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