Cuban authorities said Wednesday that 10 passengers aboard a Florida-registered boat involved in a shootout with coast guard members were Cubans living in the United States who were trying to enter the island and commit acts of terrorism.
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior said in a statement that the passengers had assault-style rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices, body armor, telescopic sights, camouflage uniforms, and that most had previous violent criminal records. The investigation remains ongoing.
Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez were aboard the boat and are wanted by Cuban authorities “based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism.”
Duniel Hernández Santos was also arrested, with officials saying he was “sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions.”
The embassy said the confrontation occurred about 1 mile off the island’s northern coast near Cayo Falcones and that those aboard the vessel opened fire first, resulting in four aggressors on the foreign vessel being killed and six injured. One Cuban officer was also injured in the gunfight.
The incident quickly drew attention in Washington, where U.S. officials said they were working to independently determine what happened and whether any U.S. citizens or legal residents were involved.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier in the day that an armed confrontation on open waters is “highly unusual,” adding that officials would review the circumstances before determining a response. He said the U.S. would not rely solely on Havana’s account and that it is gathering information from multiple federal agencies.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and other Florida officials called for state and federal bodies to investigate the incident.
The maritime incident comes as the island country grapples with crippling economic penalties imposed by President Donald Trump, who accused the regime of politically and materially supporting hostile actors such as Hamas and Russia.
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Venezuelan oil had kept Cuba afloat, but the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, combined with sanctions imposed by the White House, has sent the country into further turmoil.
Cuba is suffering from a fuel shortage that has led to blackouts across the country and affected food prices and transportation.