China operates three of Cuba’s 18 known signals intelligence sites, while Russia runs two, with some facilities reportedly operated jointly with Cuban authorities.
The primary targets are said to include CENTCOM in Tampa and SOUTHCOM near Miami, though officials said much of the intercepted material involves unclassified communications.
One senior U.S. official described the Cuba-based sites as among Beijing and Moscow’s most important foreign listening posts and said further expansion is expected.
The Trump administration has used the intelligence findings to justify increasing pressure on Cuba, including intensified surveillance efforts such as near-daily drone flights and repositioned spy satellites.