A new report from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) warns that Cuba, located just 90 miles from Florida, poses a significant national security threat to the United States due to its deepening economic crisis and strategic alliances with U.S. adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran. While often viewed through the lens of human rights or migration, Cuba’s partnerships with these nations present opportunities for intelligence gathering, military cooperation, cyber operations, and political influence directly impacting American homeland security. The report highlights credible evidence of Chinese intelligence facilities and ongoing signals intelligence collection on the island, leveraging Cuba’s strategic geographic position to monitor U.S. activities. Furthermore, Cuba’s increasingly ‘intimate, reliable partnership’ with Russia includes diplomatic and military cooperation, with reports suggesting Cuban nationals are joining Russian forces, a claim denied by Havana but leading to a downgrade in relations by Ukraine. Although evidence of direct Iranian activity is less substantial, the U.S. has previously grouped Iran with Russia and China in its assessment of Cuban threats, citing Havana’s alignment with these nations and proxies. The AFPI report advocates for a more robust U.S. response, including expanded access agreements and stronger regional partnerships to ensure persistent American capability, even as Cuba faces a severe humanitarian crisis marked by widespread blackouts and shortages, which critics argue could be exacerbated by further U.S. sanctions, while proponents contend that pressure targets the regime, not the people.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
