China’s strategic economic expansion in the Bahamas, just 50 miles from Florida’s coast, is creating a potential national security crisis that experts warn could lead to unprecedented intelligence gathering against critical U.S. military installations.
Quick Takes
- China has invested billions in Bahamian infrastructure including a $3 billion mega-port and resort development that provide potential intelligence gathering positions
- Chinese-controlled facilities sit just 50 miles from Florida’s coastline and near crucial U.S. military testing zones
- Retired military officials warn that China is using commercial projects as cover for monitoring U.S. activities
- Experts believe Beijing is exploiting economic opportunities to establish a strategic foothold in America’s backyard
China’s Billion-Dollar Footprint in America’s Backyard
China’s expanding economic presence in the Bahamas represents more than just foreign investment—it’s a calculated geopolitical strategy occurring just 50 miles from American shores. China has poured billions into Bahamian infrastructure projects, including a $40 million national stadium, a $3 billion mega-port, and $40 million for the North Abaco Port and Little Abaco Bridge. The China EXIM Bank has provided over $54 million in loans for highway construction and nearly $3 billion for the Baha Mar Resort, establishing what military experts describe as a concerning footprint with dual commercial and strategic purposes.
“The People’s Republic of China has been making diplomatic, economic and even military and quasi-military inroads into the Caribbean, South and Central America for the past couple of decades,” said retired Rear Admiral Peter Brown.
The positioning of these investments raises significant national security concerns. The Chinese-controlled British Colonial Hotel in Nassau sits directly across from the U.S. Embassy, creating an ideal situation for intelligence collection. More troubling is that these developments aren’t isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of Chinese engagement across the Caribbean and Latin America that has accelerated over the past two decades, raising alarms among U.S. defense officials and regional experts.
China is Flexing Its Muscle in the Caribbean, and That's a Problem For the United States https://t.co/822KJeTrh6 #China #Bahamas #Geopolitics
— Ward Clark (@TheGreatLander) April 28, 2025
Strategic Implications for U.S. Military and Space Operations
The Bahamas’ geographic location makes it strategically vital for U.S. security interests. The archipelago lies along critical military testing zones and space launch trajectories from Cape Canaveral. Chinese presence in this region provides Beijing with potential capabilities to monitor sensitive U.S. military and space activities. Defense experts note that even commercial infrastructure like ports and telecommunications equipment can serve dual purposes, enabling intelligence collection while maintaining plausible deniability about military intentions.
China’s investments in port facilities raise particular concerns as these could potentially support future naval operations or surveillance activities. Senator Marco Rubio has been raising the alarm about Beijing’s opportunistic approach since 2019, noting that China specifically targeted aid and development after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas. This pattern of disaster diplomacy has allowed China to gain influence in vulnerable moments when nations are most desperate for reconstruction funds and support.
Regional Influence and Florida’s Vulnerability
China’s regional strategy extends well beyond the Bahamas. From 2005 to 2022, China invested over $10 billion in just six Caribbean countries, establishing a significant economic presence throughout the region. This growing influence creates particular vulnerabilities for Florida, which maintains close economic and cultural ties with many of these nations.
Some experts warn that Florida could become a focal point in escalating U.S.-China tensions, with potential impacts on everything from trade relations to election security. Governor Ron DeSantis has taken preemptive measures by implementing laws restricting Chinese technology purchases and property ownership in Florida, though legal challenges have temporarily halted some of these efforts on discrimination grounds.
America’s Response to China’s Caribbean Strategy
The United States faces a critical challenge in maintaining its position as the primary ally and partner for Bahamian and Caribbean development. Security experts warn that if America fails to offer compelling economic partnerships and strategic engagement, China will continue filling the void with its brand of development that comes with strings attached. Some defense analysts suggest that the U.S. must develop a more comprehensive strategy combining economic incentives, diplomatic outreach, and security cooperation to counter Chinese influence effectively.
