The White House’s Confusing Response to Report That China Uses Cuba to Spy on U.S.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby initially refuted a report that China planned to build a new spy facility in Cuba. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby was adamant last Thursday when he refuted as “inaccurate” a Wall Street Journal report that China was planning to build a new spy base in Cuba.

A few days later, though, the White House then sought to modify that response when they said China had, in fact, built a facility on the island nation in 2019 — before Joe Biden took office.

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by Eric Olander

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