Cuban-Chinese relations might not be at their best

Cuban-Chinese commercial relations might be weakening, The Financial Times reported, despite their political alliance, and China’s increasing interest in Latin America.

The outlet said that Cuba’s deep economic crisis is hurting relations. Chinese exports to the island fell from $1.7 billion to $1.1 billion, and the government has large debts with companies like Huawei and TP Link.

The US claims that other lines of cooperation might be working better, including the strategic placement of spy bases on the island. Still, these are just part of a broader strategy.

Photo: The Daily Digest / Google Earth

On June 9, the Wall Street Journal reported an exclusive about how the Chinese government reached an agreement to put a spy base in Cuba.

According to the article that cited two US intelligence sources, the Chinese government paid their Cuban counterpart billions for the base.

A Biden administration official clarified that China had already established a base in Cuba. John Kirby said it was part of a broader effort to expand Chinese presence overseas.

Cuban foreign relations minister Bruno Rodríguez released a statement claiming the reports were lies fabricated by the White House to justify the US' decades-long embargo on the island.

A Biden administration official clarified that China had already established a base in Cuba. John Kirby said it was part of a broader effort to expand Chinese presence overseas.

The outlet said Chinese officials have become frustrated with the Cuban leadership’s stone-set economic model despite its faults. They have encouraged the island to open its economy.

According to the independent digital journal '14ymedio', Russia has a similar issue. Russian officials have told their state media that negotiating with Cuba is complex because they bring nothing but their stance as a "revolution" to the table.

Despite Cuba's attractive location just off the shore of the US, it seems China is interested in investing in other regional assets. Being close to the US is not enough anymore.