Washington—Florida policymakers entered crisis mode this Tuesday, June 20th, following reports of plans for a potential Chinese military base in Cuba.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) broke the news, claiming that “The facility could provide China with a platform to potentially house troops permanently on the island and broaden its intelligence gathering, including electronic eavesdropping against the US.”
“Most worrying for the US is the planned facility is part of China's project 141-an initiative by the People's Liberation army to expand its global military base and logistical support network,” said the WSJ.
Florida Republicans quickly voiced their concerns regarding the national security threat posed by Chinese military presence less than 100 miles from our borders.
The groundbreaking news casts a shadow over the White House’s management of US-China Relations.
Florida Senator Rick Scott blamed the current president, stating that “The Biden administration's weak appeasement policies have emboldened evil regimes like never before.”
The Biden administration's weak appeasement policies have emboldened evil regimes like never before.
Communist China and Cuba need to understand we will NOT tolerate this blatant act of aggression. It's time the president gets a backbone and stands for America.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) June 20, 2023
US Representative Maria-Elvira Salazar, a direct descendant of Cuban exiles, also criticized the White House. “I've been warning about the Chinese invading our Hemisphere for MONTHS and the Biden Admin doesn’t seem to care,” said Salazar.
I've been warning about the Chinese invading our Hemisphere for MONTHS and the Biden Admin doesn’t seem to care.
These aren’t just bridges, highways, soccer stadiums, and “space stations.” Bases for spying and military training just 90 miles from the United States? https://t.co/yHAdbVpB1C
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) June 20, 2023
Presidential candidates have also begun to weigh in. Miami mayor Francis Suarez, also of Cuban descent, quickly responded to the WSJ’s report. Suarez stated that “The fact that [China] wants to establish a base in Cuba is unacceptable and will not happen under a Suarez presidency.”
“The fact that [China] wants to establish a base in Cuba is unacceptable and will not happen under a Suarez presidency.”#FXS24 https://t.co/FO1oUE6meg
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) June 18, 2023
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has called on the national government to step in. “This is a grave security threat to Florida and the rest of our country. With a foothold in Cuba, the CCP’s intelligence opportunities would be limitless. Washington must block this!” said Patronis.
China’s trying to establish a training facility in Cuba (90 miles away from Florida). This is a grave security threat to Florida and the rest of our country. With a foothold in Cuba, the CCP’s intelligence opportunities would be limitless. Washington must block this! https://t.co/nYHryQ4aY1
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) June 20, 2023
The White House recently publicly denied different intelligence data suggesting China was building a spy base in China. However, the president, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State have yet to comment on the new WSJ reports.
Conversely, China is negating the news and accusing the US of eroding bilateral relations. "I don't know the matter you are talking about. We hope that the relevant parties will focus their energy on things that benefit mutual trust-building," said Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
