HAVANA — Cuban authorities announced Wednesday they have brought terrorism charges against six individuals allegedly involved in a deadly confrontation between a U.S.-flagged speedboat and Cuban military forces along the island nation’s northern coastline.
According to a statement from Cuba’s Prosecutor’s Office, the six suspects of Cuban descent are being held in custody pending trial. Officials pledged to ensure “due process” while continuing to act “in defense of our people and the country’s institutions.”
Cuban officials claim that ten heavily armed Cuban nationals traveling from the United States aboard the vessel fired upon soldiers while attempting to enter the island illegally to carry out terrorist activities. Cuban military personnel returned fire during the confrontation, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
Authorities displayed weapons and equipment they say were recovered from the vessel, including twelve high-powered firearms, over 12,800 rounds of ammunition, and eleven handguns.
According to chief prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell, who spoke with The Associated Press, terrorism convictions can result in sentences of up to three decades in prison or capital punishment, though Cuba has not carried out executions since implementing a moratorium in 2003.
