A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that a newly upgraded radar site in Cuba represents a significant enhancement in the country’s surveillance capabilities, potentially bolstering China’s ability to monitor U.S. military activities. Satellite imagery analyzed by CSIS indicates that the site, located east of Santiago de Cuba, could become a powerful tool for intelligence gathering once operational.
The CSIS report highlights that China has access to multiple spy facilities in Cuba, pinpointing four specific sites across the island. This latest development is believed to be part of an effort by Beijing to enhance its intelligence collection capabilities in the region, leveraging Cuba’s proximity to U.S. military installations.
The new facility features a circularly disposed antenna array, with a diameter between 130 to 200 meters, capable of tracking signals from 3,000 to 8,000 nautical miles away. This technology could enable China to intercept sensitive communications from U.S. military bases, monitor rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, and gather data on other strategic activities across the southern United States.
The Cuban government, however, has denied these allegations. Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio dismissed the claims as part of an intimidation campaign, stating that there is no verifiable evidence of Chinese military bases on the island. Similarly, China’s embassy in Washington described the accusations as unfounded slander.
Despite these denials, the CSIS report highlights advantages such a surveillance site would provide. It would allow China to develop a sophisticated understanding of U.S. military operations, potentially enhancing its strategic posture. The site’s capabilities include monitoring radio traffic and intercepting data from U.S. satellites, further expanding China’s intelligence reach.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns about China’s presence in Cuba. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel noted that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation, acknowledging China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its intelligence foothold in Cuba.
The radar site in Cuba follows a pattern of increased Chinese intelligence activities globally, with similar facilities being constructed on reef outposts in the South China Sea.Â
The location of Cuba, just 90 miles south of Florida, makes it an ideal spot for gathering signals intelligence (SIGINT). This proximity allows for effective monitoring of U.S. military activities, including those at critical installations like the Guantanamo Bay naval base and various space-launch complexes in Florida.
Historically, Cuba has hosted foreign espionage operations, such as the Soviet Union’s largest overseas intelligence site during the Cold War. The new developments suggest a continuation of this legacy, with modern technological advancements enabling more sophisticated surveillance capabilities.
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