Rear Admiral Peter Brown, U.S. Coast Guard and former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to President Trump, discussed the issue of illegal immigration from the Bahamas into Florida. (Fox News Digital)
China is expanding its influence in the Bahamas through projects that have both economic and geopolitical implications, as warned by an expert.
Retired Rear Admiral Peter Brown, former Homeland Security advisor to President Donald Trump, highlighted the growth of dual-use infrastructure projects along the Bahamas coastline, just 50 miles from Florida.
Brown expressed concerns about China's potential use of its commercial presence in the Bahamas for monitoring and exploiting US interests, including military activities.
The Chinese-controlled British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, located across from the U.S. Embassy, raised suspicions of potential intelligence gathering activities on American personnel.
China's significant investments in the Bahamas, including infrastructure projects and financial grants, have sparked national security concerns, especially after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Many strategic Chinese investments in the Bahamas have raised alarms about potential security risks near US shores, prompting calls for closer US-Bahamas relations to counter Chinese influence.
The US Navy's underwater testing facility in the Bahamas and the country's strategic location under key space launch paths add to concerns about national security risks posed by Chinese expansion in the region.
Collaborative relationships with the Bahamas are crucial for US security interests, economic ties, and maintaining influence in the region amidst growing Chinese presence, according to experts.
As China expands its footprint in the Bahamas, the US faces challenges in maintaining its role as the Bahamas' primary ally to counter Chinese influence and safeguard national security interests.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a US Writer at Fox News Digital, covering a wide range of breaking news and major events both in the US and globally. Connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn for more updates.