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Late Wednesday, Cuba’s government announced that its military killed several people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat who had entered Cuban waters.
Here’s what we know so far:
What happened?
Cuba’s government said the shooting began off the island’s northern coast when passengers on the speedboat opened fire first, injuring one Cuban officer. Four men on the boat were killed, and six others were injured by Cuban forces in the ensuing gunfire.
According to Cuban authorities, the ten people on board — described as Cubans living in the U.S. — were carrying assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, and body armor, and were planning what officials called a “terrorist infiltration.”
Who was on the boat?
Cuba identified seven of the ten passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Cuba’s government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. Three others have not yet been identified.
Despite being on the list, Azcorra Consuegra told NBC6 that he’s in Miami — not Cuba — and said he was surprised to see his name included.
What were the men doing?
It remains unclear what the boat and its occupants were doing in Cuban waters. In its statement, the ministry said Cuba’s government was “safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region.”
Where is the boat registered?
The boat is registered in Florida, according to Cuban officials. Records reviewed by NBC6 show that the boat’s owner also owns a home in Miami Lakes.
Were any of the men U.S. citizens?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the U.S. is gathering its own information to determine if the victims were U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Who is investigating?
Rubio said both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the incident and stressed that he wants to verify the facts, given that “the majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans.”
James Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general, has also ordered prosecutors to work with federal and state law enforcement to launch an investigation, claiming that the “Cuban government cannot be trusted.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as events warrant.
