White House Pressed to Explain Muddled Response to Report About Chinese Spy Base in Cuba

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gestures as National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2023. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

The White House is defending its seemingly contradictory response to last week’s Wall Street Journal report that claimed China is building a new base in Cuba to spy on the United States.

When the report first came out, National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby immediately refuted it, calling the story “inaccurate.” Then, a few days later, Kirby came back and said it was actually an old story and the U.S. was aware of a Chinese spy station in Cuba that dates back to 2019.

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by Eric Olander

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