Cuban forces engaged in a deadly confrontation with a group of armed exiles, resulting in four deaths and six injuries. The incident unfolded when the exiles, aboard a Florida-registered speedboat, entered Cuban waters and opened fire on a Cuban patrol. The exiles, identified as anti-government Cubans, were heavily armed and dressed in camouflage.
The Cuban patrol responded to the attack, killing four of the exiles. Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova, while the identities of the other three remain undisclosed. The wounded individuals, including a Cuban patrol commander, were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment.
The Cuban government has detained six individuals from the boat, including Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, who were previously wanted in Cuba for planning terrorist acts. Another detainee, Duniel Hernández Santos, allegedly traveled from the US to assist the group.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the operation was not sanctioned by the US government, and no American personnel were involved. This incident echoes past tensions, notably the 1996 shooting of four members of Brothers to the Rescue by the Cuban air force, which led to increased US sanctions on Cuba.
The confrontation occurred in a region known for Cuban migration attempts to the US, highlighting the ongoing perilous journeys undertaken by many. Previous incidents in the area include a June 2022 exchange of fire with a trafficking boat and an October 2022 tragedy where seven migrants died after their boat was rammed by the coast guard.
Amid these tensions, the US Treasury Department recently announced a policy shift allowing the resale of Venezuelan-origin oil in Cuba, potentially alleviating some of the island’s acute energy crisis. Cuba requires approximately 100,000 barrels of oil per day to operate efficiently, but the embargo has led to severe shortages and prolonged blackouts.
In response to the humanitarian needs, Mexico has dispatched a second shipment of aid, including beans and powdered milk, while Canada has committed US $6.7 million in food aid through the United Nations.
This latest incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian challenges facing Cuba, as well as the enduring legacy of US-Cuban relations.
