A recent report has raised alarms about Cuba’s growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran. It warns that these relationships could give adversaries of the United States a significant advantage, just 90 miles from Florida. The report, published by the America First Policy Institute, suggests that while the Cuban economy is struggling, it doesn’t make the country any less of a threat to U.S. security.
The author of the report, Melissa Ford Maldonado, who leads the institute’s Western Hemisphere Initiative, emphasized that the U.S. often overlooks Cuba’s national security implications, focusing instead on human rights or migration issues. She argues that Cuba’s partnerships with these nations enable intelligence gathering, military collaboration, and cyber operations near U.S. borders.
“Cuba poses a serious national security risk to the United States,” Ford Maldonado stated. She described the Cuban government as a hostile regime with a long track record of opposing U.S. interests.
Concerns have been particularly raised about China’s growing presence in Cuba. A recent analysis found continued activity at Cuban sites linked to signal intelligence collection, which may align with Chinese interests. Ford Maldonado pointed out that there is strong evidence suggesting Chinese bases and espionage activities on the island, highlighting Cuba’s geographical advantage in monitoring U.S. activities.
Regarding Russia, the relationship between Havana and Moscow has developed over many years, with increased military and diplomatic ties. Reports indicate that some Cuban nationals have been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, which the Cuban government has denied, asserting that it does not send troops to conflicts abroad.
The situation with Iran remains less clear, according to Ford Maldonado, who noted that while evidence connecting Iran to Cuba is less substantial than with China and Russia, it appears that Iran might be using Cuba as a base for its influence.
In January 2026, former President Donald Trump labeled Cuba a unique threat to U.S. national security, citing its ties to Russia, China, and Iran. The report from the America First Policy Institute calls for a stronger U.S. response to these challenges but does not advocate for new military bases. Instead, it suggests enhancing agreements for security cooperation and better regional partnerships.
Amid growing international concerns, ordinary Cubans are facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with reports of power outages lasting over 20 hours a day, crippling many aspects of daily life, including food production and tourism. Human Rights Watch highlighted shortages of essential goods and worsening living conditions that have worsened due to U.S. sanctions and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism.
Critics of strict U.S. policies argue that further pressure on the Cuban economy may lead to increased suffering among civilians, while some U.N. experts have called for sanctions to be lifted to ensure access to necessary supplies.
Ford Maldonado maintains that the Cuban government, not the U.S. policies, is responsible for the challenges its people face, stating, “Maximum pressure is necessary to help the Cuban people.”
As the situation unfolds, the implications of Cuba’s foreign ties continue to arouse attention, with significant concerns regarding both national security and humanitarian conditions on the island.
