Deadly Shootout Off Cuban Coast Leaves Four Dead, Raises International Tensions
A fatal gunfight erupted off the coast of Cuba on Wednesday, involving Cuba’s border guards and a Florida-registered speedboat, leaving four passengers dead and six injured. The incident, which has caused international tensions, involved ten armed individuals, including at least three U.S. citizens, one of whom was killed.
Background and Context
According to Cuban authorities, the confrontation occurred when border guard troops approached the Florida-registered speedboat for an identification check approximately one nautical mile off the northern coast of Villa Clara province. The individuals aboard the vessel allegedly initiated the gunfire, wounding the commander of a Cuban patrol craft. In response, the guards returned fire, resulting in four fatalities and six injuries.
The Cuban Interior Ministry identified the passengers as armed men intending a terrorist infiltration
, and stated that the boat was loaded with weapons, tactical gear, assault rifles, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, camouflage equipment, and handmade explosive devices.
Contrasting Accounts and Revelations
The Cuban government's account of an armed raid has been questioned after one of the men identified as being on the boat was reported to be in Miami. The brother of American citizen Michel Ortega Casanova, one of the deceased, said his sibling was on a diabolical
mission to free Cuba and that no one knew
what he was planning.
Michel Ortega Casanova's political ally, Wilfredo Beyra, responsible for the Republican Party of Cuba in Tampa, an opposing organization with headquarters in Florida, stated that Casanova's goal was to ignite the spark
of an uprising on the island by fighting against a criminal and murderous narcotrafficking.
International Reactions and Tensions
The incident has heightened tensions between Cuba and the U.S., drawing warnings from Russia against any provocative actions
around Cuba. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged restraint and stressed the importance of security around the island, while emphasizing the need for resolving humanitarian issues concerning Cuban citizens.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said the U.S. was going to have our own information
on Wednesday's incident and would respond appropriately based on what that information tells us.
The U.S. also confirmed its readiness to cooperate in the investigation, as Havana denounced the event as an attempt at infiltration with terrorist purposes
amid growing tensions with the United States.
Current Status
The situation remains tense as the narrative around the incident is being disputed. The Cuban government has released a list of the alleged suspects and accused them of planning to invade the island and unleash terrorism. However, there are calls for more details and communication from Cuban authorities to clarify the situation.