The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, stated that an "exhaustive investigation" is being conducted to clarify the armed confrontation that occurred in the island's territorial waters, resulting in four fatalities.
Rodríguez remarked on social media platform X, "Cuba has faced numerous terrorist and aggressive infiltrations from the United States since 1959, with significant loss of life, injuries, and material damage." He further emphasized, "A comprehensive investigation is underway to shed light on the events," stressing that "defending Cuba's coasts, national territory, and national security is an unavoidable duty."
The foreign minister's comments follow the armed incident that took place on the morning of Wednesday, February 25, in Cuban territorial waters near the northeastern area of the El Pino channel, Cayo Falcones, in the municipality of Corralillo, Villa Clara province.
Details of the Confrontation
According to a statement released by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and shared by the official Minint Hoy profile on Facebook, a speedboat registered in Florida, identified as FL7726SH, was detected navigating Cuban waters.
The vessel was approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel. The official account states that a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops, comprising five personnel, approached to identify the boat.
MININT reported that "fire was opened" from the offending vessel towards the border guards, leading to a shootout. As a result, the commander of the Cuban vessel was injured.
The official report indicated that four individuals aboard the boat were killed, and six others were wounded. The injured were evacuated and provided medical assistance, according to the statement.
Identifying the Deceased
Miami journalists identified one of the deceased as Michel Ortega Casanova, while efforts are ongoing to identify the other three individuals who died in the confrontation.
Ortega Casanova had recently moved to the United States and was residing in Tampa.
Journalist Daniel Benítez noted, "The identities of the other three deceased have not yet been disclosed."
The organization Casa Cuba of Tampa described the deceased as "a patriot, a man committed to the cause of freedom, and a member of the Cuban Republican Party."
Casa Cuba of Tampa declared three days of mourning, with flags at half-staff.
Meanwhile, journalist Javier Díaz of Univision warned of the Cuban regime's slander and manipulation regarding the armed incident in Cayo Falcones.
"Those who went to Cuba are not terrorists," he asserted. "They went to liberate our country."
The reporter explained that several groups in Miami had been training for months to carry out a strategic operation in Cuba.
"It seems they acted prematurely, failing to plan certain aspects, leading to this regrettable mistake, the confrontation with Cuban authorities, where at least four of them lost their lives, and six are recovering in the hospital," he added.
Injured Individuals in the Shootout
The Cuban government released the names of those injured in the incident.
In an extended report, MININT indicated that the boat was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from the detainees, intended to enter the national territory with "terrorist aims."
Arrested were Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.
The official statement noted that all involved are Cubans residing in the United States, with some having criminal records. Additionally, it mentioned that two of the detainees were on national lists linked to previous criminal investigations.
During the operation, authorities reported the seizure of assault rifles, handguns, homemade incendiary devices, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.
The agency also reported the arrest within Cuban territory of Duniel Hernández Santos, who is linked to the group's reception.
Furthermore, the names Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez appear on a list that the Cuban regime updated last July and presented to the UN as part of its national list of individuals considered terrorists.
In that update, authorities included 62 individuals and 20 entities based abroad, primarily in the United States, accused of promoting, financing, or organizing actions against the Cuban state, whose alleged impunity in U.S. territory has been denounced by Havana.
According to the official version, investigations are ongoing for a complete clarification of the events.
Key Questions About the Cuban Waters Incident
What led to the confrontation in Cuban waters?
The confrontation was triggered when a speedboat from Florida, detected in Cuban waters, allegedly opened fire on Cuban Border Guards, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Who were the individuals involved in the incident?
The individuals involved were reportedly armed and intended to enter Cuba with alleged terrorist objectives. They were all Cuban nationals residing in the United States.
How has the Cuban government responded to the incident?
The Cuban government has launched a thorough investigation to clarify the events and has detained several individuals involved, citing their criminal backgrounds and possible links to terrorism.