Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) demanded answers on the ongoing relationship between China and Cuba in a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, asking how it could affect the United States.
Since 2023, alarms have been raised as the Chinese have supposedly built military installations in Cuba for spying on the United States.
"So just to get this straight," Rep. Crane began, "We have the Chinese partnering with Cuba, both communist countries, and Cuba is what, roughly 90 miles from the United States? Are we able to discern through satellite imagery, human intel, and signal intel what the capabilities of this technology located on the island of Cuba?"
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Center for Strategic and International Studies Americas Program Director Dr. Ryan Berg replied, "We are able to speculate about it. But again, this was discovered using commercially available satellite technology that we have the capability of using. I recommend a classified briefing for you all."
"On the high side, my guess is that there is a lot more analysis available on capabilities and vulnerabilities," Berg continued, prompting Rep. Crane to ask if the United States has the means to "jam and block the surveillance technologies" China has installed in Cuba.
"It is my understanding that we do have some of that capability," Berg answered, adding, "I am not sure if it is being deployed. And also, as I mentioned, some of the communications that are sensitive in nature are also encrypted, but I am happy to talk to you offline or answer questions further after this hearing about those types of capabilities."
The Arizona Congressman then turned to Leland Lazarus, associate director of the National Security program at Florida International University's Gordon Institute for Public Policy, asking, "Do you believe that the Chinese are engaged in unrestricted warfare with the United States? Economic warfare, attacks on critical infrastructure, espionage, IP theft, etc.?"
"We have seen evidence time and time again, whether it be the FBI under Christopher Wray talking about how China-based hackers, whether it be Salt Typhoon or Volt Typhoon, have infiltrated critical infrastructure throughout the United States," Lazarus answered, adding, "they are potentially prepositioning if there is ever a conflict with the United States, say over the Strait of Taiwan or the South China Sea, that the Chinese could retaliate by shutting down some of that critical infrastructure."
