The 84-year-old businessman and long-time Cuban exile, Santiago Álvarez Fernández-Magriñá, interprets recent remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Chinese and Russian espionage bases in Cuba not as groundbreaking news, but rather as an indication of deadlock in the negotiations between Washington and Havana.
During an interview on Fox News aired on Tuesday, Rubio publicly accused the Cuban regime of hosting intelligence facilities for China and Russia, warning, "We will not allow any foreign military, intelligence, or security apparatus to operate with impunity just 90 miles off the U.S. coast. That will not happen under Donald Trump's presidency."
In an interview with CiberCuba, Álvarez provides his political perspective on the timing of Rubio’s statements, which pertain to an issue that is far from new: "This doesn’t surprise anyone. He brought it up now because he’s been talking to them for weeks, trying to get them to budge on something."
The Stalemate in U.S.-Cuba Relations
According to the veteran of the Brigade 2506, the regime has spurned Washington’s outreach. "Instead of making certain moves that might benefit the Cuban people—like opening up the economy a bit and accepting the peaceful cooperation the United States is offering—they continue to bring in Russians and Chinese," he stated.
This behavior, Álvarez believes, is neither new nor unexpected. He sees a direct line from the early days of the revolution to now, recalling how Fidel Castro dismissed elections from the start.
Álvarez recalls that during the early months of Castro’s rule, there was a public gathering in the Plaza de la República (now Plaza de la Revolución) where José Figueres, former president of Costa Rica, called for elections. "Fidel took the microphone away and said: elections for what?"
Historical Context and Current Accusations
Álvarez argues that this anecdote highlights the regime’s true nature. He claims, "I don’t think [Fidel Castro] was even a communist," suggesting that alliances with foreign powers have always been a means of maintaining power rather than an ideological commitment.
Rubio's accusations against Russia and China rely on a December 2024 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which identified at least 12 Chinese signals intelligence facilities in Cuba, including sites like Bejucal, El Wajay, Calabazar, and El Salao—this last one just 70 miles from the Guantanamo Naval Base.
Regarding Russia, Rubio described Cuba as hosting the largest Russian intelligence base outside of Russia and noted that Moscow has recruited up to 20,000 Cubans to fight in Ukraine since 2022.
China responded on Wednesday through its spokesperson Lin Jian, defending its cooperation with Cuba as "legitimate, transparent, and in accordance with international law." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also rejected the characterization of Cuba as a threat to the United States.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Parallel to these tensions, discreet negotiations between the Trump administration and Raúl Castro's circle have been ongoing for weeks without concrete progress. The primary Cuban interlocutor appears to be Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl’s grandson, who even sent a secret letter to Trump through a Cuban-American businessman. However, official Carlos Fernández de Cossío made it clear on March 28 that Cuba’s political system "is non-negotiable," a stance reiterated by Díaz-Canel repeatedly.
This week, the U.S. embassy warned that the Trump administration will not tolerate the presence of foreign militaries or intelligence apparatuses in Cuba, echoing Rubio’s statements.
The Cuban economy has suffered a GDP contraction of over 23% since 2019, with further declines projected at -7.2% in 2026, which Washington sees as leverage over the regime. Rubio was blunt about the situation: "Things can improve in Cuba with serious economic reforms, but not with the current leaders in charge. They are economically incompetent," he concluded.
In-Depth Insights on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What are the implications of Marco Rubio's accusations for U.S.-Cuba relations?
Rubio's accusations underscore the strained relations between the U.S. and Cuba, highlighting the lack of progress in diplomatic negotiations and the potential risks posed by foreign intelligence operations on the island.
How has the Cuban economy been impacted in recent years?
Since 2019, the Cuban economy has experienced a dramatic decline, with a GDP contraction of over 23% and further negative projections, indicating significant economic distress under the current regime.
What stance has the Cuban regime taken on political reforms?
The Cuban regime has consistently rejected political reforms, maintaining its current system as non-negotiable despite international pressures and ongoing economic challenges.