House subcommittee examines evidence of Chinese signals-intelligence activity in Cuba and risks to U.S. homeland

The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security convened a hearing to examine open-source evidence and expert analysis suggesting Chinese-funded signals‑intelligence facilities in Cuba and what that could mean for U.S. homeland security.

The discussion centered on commercial satellite imagery and public reporting identifying four likely sites on the island and the potential for those sites to collect communications and maritime data. Committee Chair Jimenez opened the hearing by warning that "With Beijing ramping up its economic, military and intelligence operations just 90 miles from our coastline, this is no longer a distant challenge. It's an immediate concern for the security of the American people." The subcommittee heard testimony from three outside experts who recommended classified briefings for members, stepped-up regional diplomacy and technical measures to protect sensitive systems.

A nut graf: Witnesses from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Heritage Foundation and Florida International University told the panel they had used commercially available imagery and open-source reporting to identify and track about…