China to build spy base in Cuba, says report; US and Cuba call it inaccurate, unfounded

News Snapshot:

After Wall Street Journal reported that Cuba has agreed to allow China to construct a surveillance facility on the island, the US on Thursday dismissed the report saying “it’s not accurate” while Cuba termed it “totally mendacious and unfounded.” Such a spy installation would allow Beijing to gather electronic communications from the southeastern US, which houses many US military bases, as well as monitor ship traffic, the newspaper reported, citing US officials familiar with classified intelligence. The region includes the US Southern and Central Command headquarters, both in Florida. China will pay Cuba “several billion dollars” to be able to...