Cuba says boat from Florida opened fire at its soldiers was carrying terrorists

Cuba’s government claims the passengers aboard the U.S. speedboat were armed Cuban nationals living in the United States attempting to infiltrate the island to carry out terrorist attacks.

According to Havana, the Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters and its occupants opened fire first on Cuban soldiers, injuring one officer. Cuban forces returned fire, killing four passengers and wounding six.

The regime stated the majority of the ten individuals have a known history of criminal and violent activity. It specifically identified Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez as wanted for involvement in terrorism-related activities, including planning and financing attacks.

Cuban authorities arrested Duniel Hernández Santos, who they say was sent from the United States to coordinate the armed infiltration. He has confessed to his role.

The government named additional passengers including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. One of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova.

This confrontation highlights persistent armed infiltration operations launched from American territory by anti-regime Cuban exiles.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is independently investigating the incident and confirmed it was not a U.S. government sanctioned action.