Cuba’s government revealed on Wednesday that the 10 individuals aboard a boat that engaged in a shootout with its soldiers were Cuban expatriates residing in the United States, aiming to infiltrate the country and carry out acts of terrorism.
The disclosure followed an incident where Cuban forces reported killing four individuals and injuring six others aboard a speedboat registered in Florida that had entered Cuban territory and initiated gunfire, resulting in injuries to a Cuban officer.
According to Cuba’s authorities, most of the 10 individuals on the boat have a documented record of engaging in criminal and violent behaviors.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged being informed about the event and mentioned that the U.S. government is conducting its investigation to ascertain the citizenship status of the victims.
Cuba identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities for their involvement in terrorism-related activities.
Additionally, one individual, Duniel Hernández Santos, was apprehended by Cuban officials, who alleged that he was dispatched from the U.S. to facilitate the armed infiltration and has confessed to his actions.
The Cuban government disclosed that information about the boat passengers was obtained from the detained suspects following the altercation. Seven out of the 10 passengers have been identified, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Michel Ortega Casanova was identified as one of the deceased individuals.
U.S. officials expressed caution in speculating about the incident, emphasizing the need to independently verify the facts provided by the Cuban government. Investigations by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are ongoing to gather more information.
Conrado Galindo Sariol, one of the identified individuals, had previously been interviewed by Martí Noticias in June 2025, expressing support for Cuban struggles for freedom.
The shooting incident may escalate tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, given the recent dynamics in the region. The U.S. government has been monitoring the situation closely, awaiting further details and developments.
Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, has initiated collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly. While confrontations between Cuban authorities and U.S.-flagged boats have occurred previously, instances of passengers opening fire or being killed are uncommon in recent reports.
The shooting incident underscores the complex relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, raising concerns about potential ramifications on diplomatic ties and regional stability.