10 Cuban nationals on U.S. speedboat intended to carry out an 'armed infiltration,' Cuba says
Category: News & Politics
Via: perrie-halpern • 9 months ago • 9 commentsBy: Babak Dehghanpisheh (NBC News)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Cuba said its military killed four Cuban residents of the U.S. who were on a speedboat that entered its territorial waters Wednesday, which the country's Interior Ministry called a "foiled armed infiltration."
The speedboat, which was registered in Florida, "was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
"Assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms were seized," the ministry said.
The ministry said that the incursion happened Wednesday morning and that a commander of the Cuban border guard was injured, in addition to six people on the U.S. boat.
All members of the group on the Florida-registered boat were "Cuban residents of the United States," according to the ministry.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier Wednesday the U.S. would carry out an independent investigation before it responded.
"We're going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we'll respond accordingly," Rubio said from St. Kitts and Nevis, where he was attending a conference with Caribbean leaders.
The Cuban ministry said the people on the U.S.-registered vessel initiated the firefight, which took place 1 nautical mile northeast of El Pino channel off Cuba's north coast.
"When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel," the ministry said.
It listed the names of one of the people who were killed and the six people who have been detained. It said most have criminal histories.
A seventh person, a Cuban national who it alleged was sent from the U.S. to facilitate the group's reception, was arrested in Cuba, the ministry said.
The injured people were evacuated and received medical assistance, according to the statement.
Rubio said most of the information the U.S. has about what happened "is what Cuban authorities are providing both the public and the U.S. government."
The Cuban border guard alerted the U.S. to the incident Wednesday morning, and Rubio was notified at that time, he said.
Asked whether any U.S. personnel were involved in the incident, Rubio replied, "No."
Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have heightened over the Trump administration's restriction of oil shipments to Cuba, especially from Venezuela, though the U.S. announced Wednesday it would allow some sales to Cuba's private sector.
Several Florida officials have called for an investigation into the incident.
State Attorney General James Uthmeier said on X that he has "directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with our federal, state, and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation." He added that the "Cuban government cannot be trusted."
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., called the confrontation a "massacre" and said the U.S. must determine what happened and whether any citizens or U.S. residents were victims.
Similarly, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., called for an investigation and said the Cuban government's version of events could not be trusted "without scrutiny."
"My office has contacted the State Department for more information, but it's notable that this occurred in spite of ongoing Trump Administration negotiations with the Cuban regime," she said on X.
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If in fact Cuba's rendition of the facts are true I wonder if an American investigation will be truthful and verify what Cuba said. Personally, since Trump would love to invade Cuba or at least cause a regime change, and with the reputation of the Epstein redactions, why should anyone trust what an American investigation would reveal?
"American investigation will be truthful" is truly funny. Nothing coming out of the current government is "truthful".
Is this a mini Bay of Pigs fiasco?
Sadly we can no longer take this administration's word for anything
It's fascinating to see how various other countries deal with people attempting to enter illegally.
When those people start shooting first?
Good point.
I do love their false comparisons....
What a bunch of idjits