The notion of "proportionality" has become the cornerstone of the official narrative surrounding the armed confrontation off the coast of Corralillo, involving a boat from Florida and Cuban border guard troops.
According to data shared on the program Las Razones de Cuba, the Cuban Border Guard's boat suffered 13 bullet impacts, while the vessel from the United States was hit 21 times.
Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez claimed that the Cuban border guards operate with a "rational" model of conduct, asserting that firearms are only used "when there is a prior aggression."
He stated that the first shot allegedly came from the intercepted boat, injuring the captain of the Cuban unit in the abdomen. Following this, the crew reportedly acted according to established protocols.
Leading the investigation, Colonel Víctor Álvarez Valle noted that the exchange took place at a distance of approximately 20 meters, emphasizing that the bullet impacts on both vessels were above the waterline. This detail was highlighted to suggest that the shots were not intended to sink the boat.
Initially, three individuals aboard the Florida boat were killed, and seven others were wounded. Subsequently, one of the injured succumbed to their injuries.
The stark difference in casualties—four dead on the Florida boat compared to just one injury among the Cuban forces—raises questions about whether the level of force used was truly in line with the principle of minimum necessary force.
Beyond the number of bullet impacts, determining proportionality will require independent investigations to verify who fired first and whether there were viable alternatives to a deadly outcome.
Understanding the Cuban Border Shooting Incident
What does the Cuban regime claim about the shooting incident?
The Cuban regime claims that the actions of their border guards were proportional and followed a rational model of conduct, only using firearms in response to a prior aggression.
Who led the investigation into the shooting?
The investigation into the shooting was led by Colonel Víctor Álvarez Valle.
What questions remain about the proportionality of the force used?
Questions remain about whether the force used was proportional, given the casualty difference, and whether there were realistic alternatives to using lethal force.