The partnership between China and Cuba poses a significant threat in our vicinity.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, the Cuban regime has allegedly agreed to host Chinese intelligence services in a multi-billion dollar deal. The partnership between Havana and Beijing would allow China’s President Xi Jinping to access sensitive U.S. communications, including military bases and naval traffic, all just 100 miles from American soil.

The Biden administration must take this communist threat seriously as it poses a major security threat not only to the U.S. but also to freedom throughout the Western Hemisphere.

A Cuba spy base would provide Chinese President Xi Jinping the unprecedented opportunity to access sensitive U.S. communications. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

If these allegations are true, it would be considered a major provocation from both Beijing and Havana, and a clear and present danger to our national security, reminiscent of the Cold War. It’s not the first time Havana has enabled hostile powers to surveil the U.S. – they’ve previously hosted similar facilities for the Soviet Union and later for Russia. 

The Cuban-Chinese partnership, however, poses a much greater threat, and any sign of weakness from America will only encourage probing and bellicose behavior from China. 

Beijing and Havana have made their intentions clear towards those who oppose their authoritarian will. China has been carrying out cultural genocide and mass internment of Uyghurs on a scale not seen since the Holocaust, whilst Cuba is using torture to quell dissent, even on minors. This malignant duo is also known to be subverting democracy globally, from Latin America to East Asia. 

The Cuban regime often advertises itself as a benign, reformist government, but in reality, they are anything but. The Biden administration must take swift action against this alliance, and New sanctions and punitive measures would be a warranted start. 

It’s time that America takes long overdue actions against the CCP, as suggested by Representative Mike Gallagher. Halting Huawei export licenses, restricting outbound investment, enhancing research security, and preventing CCP land purchases near military bases are just some of the steps that need to be taken.

The administration must heed Congress’ call for action before it’s too late. We cannot afford to show weakness in the face of our communist adversaries. Let’s hope that America can deploy an effective strategic response to this growing malign alliance in our backyard.

Ken Pope is CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.