Unveiling the Chinese Surveillance Sites in Cuba
Investigative hearing held in the U.S. House concerning alleged covert surveillance operations, believed to be Chinese, in Cuba
Let's dive into the details of some questionable locations in Cuba suspected of Chinese intelligence operations aimed at the United States. Researchers from CSIS have identified these potential spots using commercial satellite imagery.
- Bejucal (close to Havana, 22° 56' 54.5"N 82° 21' 46.29"W): This is Cuba's main active surveillance hub that's been rumored for years to have ties to China. Interestingly, recent images show significant improvements, including the removal of older antennas and the construction of a new Circularly Disposed Antenna Array (CDAA).
- Wajay (around Havana): Although less information is available regarding recent activities, this site is considered another potential surveillance spot.
- Calabazar (around Havana): Similar to Wajay, this site is under observation with ongoing monitoring but less recent publicly available images.
- El Salao (east of Santiago de Cuba): This previously unreported site saw the initial construction of a CDAA in 2024, but recent imagery from April 2025 suggests development has stalled, with only secondary buildings completed and vegetation reclaiming the site. Given its location near Guantanamo Bay, it could have offered a strategic advantage.
What's the Deal with CDAA?
The CDAA construction at Bejucal is quite significant. These systems are designed to locate long-distance radio signals, making it possible to pinpoint the direction and origin of communications and radar emissions. This, in turn, bolsters Cuba's (and thus, China's) ability to monitor military and commercial activities across the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean basin.
Further improvements at Bejucal include large radomes—dome-shaped structures believed to conceal radar or signal interception equipment—and underground access points, further enhancing the site's surveillance capabilities.
CDAA systems similar to those in Cuba have been deployed by the People’s Liberation Army on artificial islands in the South China Sea, where they support extensive surveillance operations.
The Latest Findings and Impact
- Extended Surveillance Range: The upgrades at Bejucal, particularly the new CDAA, could significantly extend China's ability to track U.S. military communications, naval movements, and air and maritime traffic in the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean.
- Geostrategic Importance: Bejucal's location (just 90 miles from Florida) and advanced infrastructure make it a crucial node for intelligence gathering, especially for tracking military exercises, commercial shipping, and air traffic in the region.
- Strategic Priorities: Although construction at El Salao has stalled, the focus on Bejucal implies that resources might be prioritized for the more advanced and well-established facility.
- Policy Response: The findings have led to U.S. congressional hearings, with lawmakers expressing concerns about Beijing possibly expanding its intelligence presence near U.S. territory and urging a firm response to counter these developments.
Key Takeaways
| Site | Approximate Location | Recent Developments | Capabilities | Suspected Use ||-------------|-------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------|| Bejucal | Near Havana | CDAA construction, radome upgrades |Long-range signal detection, radome|Military/commercial surveillance|| Wajay | Around Havana | Ongoing monitoring | (Not detailed) | SIGINT operations || Calabazar | Around Havana | Ongoing monitoring | (Not detailed) | SIGINT operations || El Salao | East of Santiago de Cuba | CDAA construction stalled, partial |Potential long-range detection |Atlantic traffic monitoring |
- The subcommittee on war-and-conflicts in politics has held several hearings, expressing concerns about the suspected Chinese intelligence operations in Cuba, specifically at Bejucal.
- In the general news, the construction of a Circularly Disposed Antenna Array (CDAA) at Bejucal, near Havana, is causing worry, as these systems can locate long-distance radio signals and bolster the ability to monitor military activities across the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean.
- According to the general news, the military in Cuba, specifically in Bejucal, has been under scrutiny due to the construction of a CDAA and large radomes, which are believed to conceal radar or signal interception equipment, giving China an advantage in surveillance capabilities.
- Recent improvements at Bejucal, such as the construction of a CDAA and large radomes, are of interest to the U.S. congressional subcommittee on war-and-conflicts, as they extend China's ability to track military communications and naval movements in the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean.
