An Unprecedented Surge in Cooperation

China and Cuba are forging a partnership deeper than anything Havana has seen in decades—arguably eclipsing even Russia’s long-standing role as Cuba’s patron. The most visible symbol is energy. In 2025 alone, China is financing 55 new solar parks across Cuba, delivering shiploads of panels, equipment, and even fuel to keep installations moving despite Cuba’s chronic shortages.

The scale is enormous: by the end of this year, Chinese-backed solar power is expected to cover nearly all of Cuba’s daylight electricity deficit. Longtime observers say this is not just an economic project—it’s a lifeline. Cuba’s collapsing grid has triggered blackouts lasting 20 hours a day in many towns. Hospitals and schools have been forced to shut down for lack of power.

In contrast, Russia’s efforts to help modernize Cuba have largely stalled. A Russian-financed steel mill, once billed as a symbol of revival, stands quiet. Plans for Russian-backed retail hubs and beach resort redevelopments remain unrealized. “Russia’s promises have always been bigger than its performance,” said William LeoGrande, a Latin America expert at American University.

China, meanwhile, is delivering tangible results. Chinese technicians supervise every drop of fuel and every shipment of parts, as Cuban truck drivers haul materials to remote construction sites. “The Chinese come, they check everything, they keep it going,” said Noel Gonzalez, a driver delivering gravel to one of the new solar parks.

Cuba officially joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, opening the floodgates for infrastructure investment. Since then, Beijing has poured billions into ports, roads, and energy projects. Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE—blacklisted by Washington—are now the backbone of Cuba’s digital networks, a sign of just how far China’s influence reaches.

Trade volume is difficult to quantify precisely because many deals are state-to-state and confidential. But shipments into Mariel Port are rising sharply, with Chinese vessels delivering everything from industrial components to wheat. At the same time, Chinese companies have signed agreements to help modernize Cuba’s electrical grid and expand renewable capacity to 2,000 megawatts—enough to cover almost two-thirds of the island’s current demand.

This surge in Chinese involvement comes as Havana’s economic crisis deepens. U.S. sanctions have intensified under the Trump administration, cutting off cash remittances and limiting trade. Tourism has collapsed. Inflation has soared past 30%. The result is a desperate government more willing than ever to welcome outside help—especially when it arrives fast and with few conditions.

Intelligence Cooperation and a Rising Security Threat

Economic aid is only part of the story. Intelligence experts warn that China’s ambitions in Cuba are also strategic. A growing body of satellite imagery and open-source research indicates China is operating or accessing at least four signals intelligence (SIGINT) facilities on Cuban soil.

Sites like Bejucal and Calabazar host powerful antenna arrays that can intercept satellite communications, track rocket launches from Florida, and monitor U.S. military activity along the southern seaboard. One new facility near Santiago de Cuba features a massive antenna ring capable of pinpointing the source of high-frequency radio signals thousands of miles away.

This is no Cold War relic. Experts say the installations have been modernized or built anew in recent years, likely with Chinese funding and technical support. Matthew Funaiole of the Center for Strategic and International Studies calls this footprint an “unprecedented look at how China is expanding its intelligence collection so close to U.S. shores.”

Cuban human intelligence capabilities also present a serious concern. Havana has a long record of infiltrating U.S. agencies—most recently with Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. diplomat accused of spying for Cuba for 15 years. Analysts suspect that intelligence collected in Cuba—whether by Cuban operatives or Chinese technicians—could be shared in exchange for more economic support.

For many observers, China’s deepening partnership with Cuba is a logical extension of its global strategy. “China has clear interests here,” said Fulton Armstrong, a former U.S. National Intelligence Officer for Latin America. “The combination of economic leverage and intelligence presence gives Beijing a unique advantage just 90 miles from Florida.”

At the same time, some caution that Cuba’s value to China is mainly geopolitical. Even massive Chinese investment may not be enough to rescue the island’s economy. “Havana can’t bank on either Russia or China coming in with magic pills,” Armstrong warned.

Washington faces a renewed strategic challenge. Chinese intelligence platforms in Cuba could gather signals from sensitive U.S. military operations and commercial communications. Chinese telecom infrastructure embedded in Cuban networks raises further questions about surveillance and data security.

Beyond spying, there is a broader concern: China’s support helps the Cuban government maintain control during economic turmoil, delaying political reforms and enabling repression of dissent. During the July 2021 protests, Cuban authorities throttled internet access—likely using Chinese-supplied systems—to stifle opposition.