According to research conducted by CSIS, four sites in Cuba were revealed that possibly support China's efforts to gather intelligence on the United States and its neighbors. A declassified assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of the United States lists Cuba as one of the countries where China seeks to establish military facilities. Moreover, it mentions that intelligence sharing between Cuba and China could extend beyond SIGINT and other forms of intelligence gathering.
The most highlighted site reviewed by CSIS is Bejucal, located in the hills overlooking Havana. It is noted that these facilities could close the gap in intelligence collection. Regarding China's embrace of Cuba in the post-Soviet context, it is highlighted that the island has historically been a point of interest for foreign adversaries' intelligence agencies. Through this cooperation, Cuba has been key in exporting intelligence knowledge to other authoritarian regimes in the region.
The growth of satellite monitoring teams in Calabazar, as well as in Bejucal, is emphasized, despite Cuba lacking its own satellites and space program. This situation has raised concerns about China's efforts to gather intelligence on the United States. In this regard, there is concern about signal intelligence collection in the region due to Cuba's favorable location in southern United States and the Caribbean.
Regarding recommended policies, the importance of monitoring and countering Chinese and Cuban digital authoritarianism through strengthening infrastructure and opening transparent communication channels is emphasized. Additionally, the need for clear policies in response to the possible escalation of adversarial powers on the island and the importance of promoting transparency to reduce misconceptions are highlighted.
Overall, there is an emphasis on the growing presence and active cooperation between China and Cuba in intelligence gathering, which has generated concerns in the United States and its regional partners. The findings from the research conducted by CSIS underscore the importance of surveillance and analysis of China's activities in Cuba to mitigate potential risks in the region.
