Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío announced Thursday that his nation’s officials are actively coordinating with their American counterparts following a deadly maritime confrontation that left several people dead in Cuban territorial waters.
The Cuban official stated his government stands ready to share information with U.S. authorities, while also planning to request details about those involved and how they organized their journey.
“The U.S. government has shown willingness to cooperate in clarifying the facts,” Cossío stated.
According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the incident unfolded Wednesday morning when a speedboat registered in Florida and carrying 10 armed Cuban nationals from the United States fired upon soldiers along the island’s northern coastline. Cuban forces returned fire, resulting in four deaths and six injuries among the boat’s occupants. Cuban officials reported one of their personnel was also wounded.
A U.S. official confirmed Thursday that at least one American citizen died in the encounter, with another sustaining injuries.
The official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation into Wednesday’s gun battle, revealed that another crew member held a U.S. visa, while several others may have possessed green cards.
Additionally, the boat’s owner has claimed the vessel was taken without permission by one of his workers.
Cuban authorities have published a roster containing the names of those they consider suspects, alleging the group intended to launch an invasion and carry out terrorist activities.
Cossío revealed that investigators discovered assault weapons, sniper rifles, handguns, night vision gear, bayonets, military-style clothing, field rations, communications devices “and a large number of insignia from counterrevolutionary terrorist organizations.”
“This information is still preliminary. More details will be provided in the coming days,” he added.
On Wednesday night, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard are conducting their own investigation.
“The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and we’ll be prepared to respond accordingly,” Rubio stated.
Cossío pointed out that Cuban officials have consistently shared intelligence with the U.S. regarding individuals he claims “have been involved in promoting, financing, and organizing violent and terrorist acts against Cuba.”
He revealed that two of the detained boat passengers appeared on that intelligence list “and enjoyed impunity within U.S. territory.”
“The Cuban government is still awaiting responses to requests for information about them and the other individuals and organizations included in the list issued,” Cossío said.
The deputy foreign minister declined to answer reporter questions during his press conference.
Throughout Havana and surrounding areas, residents discussed the incident with varying reactions.
“What the hell,” commented 88-year-old street performer Efraín Scotland regarding the alleged invasion attempt by 10 individuals. “No, my friend, no, that’s not going to bring down a nation.”
Others, including 48-year-old construction worker Roberto Henry Figueredo, expressed support for Cuba’s military response.
“That hail of bullets that we unleashed was good,” he remarked, adding that Cubans would resist future attacks. “If they fire at us, we’re going to eat those bullets.”
Citizens in Cuba and elsewhere continue seeking answers about the motivations behind the alleged maritime operation targeting the Caribbean nation.
Cuban political analyst Rafael M. Hernández addressed reporters during an online briefing Thursday, noting numerous unanswered questions: “What were they doing? What were they looking for? Were they starting a liberation movement in Cuba? Were they trying to sabotage the Cuban economy?”
He characterized the alleged mission as “silly and counterproductive.”
Some observers expressed concern that the shooting incident might further damage the already strained diplomatic relationship between Cuba and the United States, which has increased economic sanctions.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump also threatened to impose tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba, which had relied heavily on Venezuelan petroleum. However, those deliveries ceased after U.S. actions against the South American country and the arrest of its former leader.
Cuba has subsequently implemented strict fuel conservation measures.
“I expect things to get more tense,” said 54-year-old Havana resident Rosa Larrondo, who characterized Wednesday’s shooting as “a violation of the sovereignty of the Cuban people.”
