Cuba Claims Boat Shooting Involved Armed Exiles Attempting Infiltration
Cuban authorities allege that a shootout on Wednesday involving a Florida-registered speedboat was a deliberate act of terrorism perpetrated by armed Cubans residing in the United States, who were attempting to infiltrate the island. According to a report by the Cuban government news site Cubadebate, the vessel carried assault rifles, pistols, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, binoculars, and camouflage uniforms.
The incident, which resulted in four deaths and six injuries, occurred approximately one mile off the northern coast of Cuba near Corralillo. Cuban forces opened fire on the speedboat after it allegedly initiated the exchange, according to government statements.
Cuba’s government has identified seven of the ten individuals on board: six who were arrested and Michel Ortega Casanova, who was killed during the operation. The remaining three fatalities are still being identified.
Authorities claim that Duniel Hernández Santos, described as being sent from the United States to coordinate the action, has been arrested in Cuba and has reportedly confessed to his involvement. Several of the suspects, the Cuban government alleges, were already wanted for terrorism under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington “will react accordingly” once the facts of the incident are fully established. Rubio made these comments while at the airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders.
The incident is unfolding as tensions between Cuba and the United States remain high. The Cuban government has previously accused the U.S. Of supporting opposition groups seeking to destabilize the island.
The U.S. Is currently gathering information to determine if any of the individuals involved were American citizens or permanent residents, according to Rubio. “We have various different elements of the U.S. Government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now,” he said.
The Cuban government’s assertion that the incident was a terrorist act comes amid ongoing concerns about security and stability in the region. Cuba has long accused the United States of harboring individuals who seek to undermine its government.
According to a report from , Cuba previously claimed to have foiled a plot to smuggle arms and ammunition from the U.S., labeling it as a terrorist threat.
The incident raises questions about the flow of weapons and individuals between the United States and Cuba, and the potential for further escalation of tensions between the two countries. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue to gather information.
