U.S. Intelligence Conceals Chinese and Russian Bases in Cuba

Cuba is home to four Chinese-operated electronic espionage bases and two Russian GLONASS stations, according to Cuban-American analyst Néstor T. Carbonell. In an interview with CiberCuba, he emphasized that this information is sourced directly from U.S. intelligence agencies, not from opposition sources.

Carbonell, a lawyer, veteran of Brigade 2506, and author of the book Why Cuba Matters? New Threats in America's Backyard, described the extent of the threat with clarity: "Today, there are four Chinese-operated electronic espionage bases in Cuba targeting the southeastern United States, where numerous military bases are located."

Collaborative Espionage Efforts

The Chinese installations don't operate in isolation; the Cuban regime collaborates with global powers that have a vested interest in surveilling Washington.

"It's not just the regime itself; it's the regime and its allies—China, Russia, Iran, and narcoterrorist organizations," Carbonell explained, highlighting a systemic threat beyond just Havana.

The Russian Component

Regarding Russia, Carbonell clarified that its two stations in Cuba are part of a larger network: "Russia also has two stations capable of interfering with and monitoring satellites and other organizations. These stations, known as GLONASS, are located in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and are currently operational."

The most troubling aspect for Washington is that this presence is not recent.

"These Chinese espionage operations across the island were detected by the United States at least five or six years ago," Carbonell pointed out, indicating a delayed response that places official recognition around 2019-2020.

Delayed Recognition and Response

This delay aligns with findings from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in July 2024: satellite images identified four active signal intelligence sites linked to China in Cuba—Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay, and Calabazar—and by December of that year, the count expanded to at least 12 facilities with similar capabilities.

The Bejucal installation, the largest, showed activity with a new interception antenna operational as of June 2026, according to recent satellite images.

Official responses have been inconsistent in the face of evidence.

Carbonell recalled that Díaz-Canel characterized the installations as "military collaborations," while Beijing opted for complete denial: "China has denied everything, stating it has nothing in Cuba."

The analyst hopes that the meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping addressed the issue: "I hope he brought it up in his conversation with Xi Jinping, without a doubt."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly accused Cuba in April and June of 2026 of continuing to host active Chinese and Russian intelligence facilities, in line with what Carbonell has been warning for years.

For the analyst, the seriousness of the situation demands immediate action: "We are facing an extremely serious situation that requires a proper strategy to address this threat," and the information supporting it, he stressed, "comes from U.S. intelligence agencies, with images of these bases operated by many of them by China and others by Russia."