Cuban authorities recently neutralized an armed fast boat off the coast of Villa Clara, detaining ten individuals with alleged terrorist infiltration intentions, all identified as Cuban residents in the United States.

A comprehensive investigation continues into an armed aggression against a surface unit of the Cuban Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT, in Spanish), occurring in the northeastern area of the El Pino channel, specifically in Cayo Falcones, within the Corralillo municipality of Villa Clara province.

According to the official report, on Wednesday morning an infractory speedboat with registration from Florida (with U.S. license FL7726SH) was detected, which was approached a nautical mile of the area and successfully neutralized by Cuban forces.

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According to the recent information released by the Ministry of the Interior, preliminary declarations from the detained individuals indicate that the boat was transporting ten armed people whose express intention was to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes within Cuban territory.

The gravity of their objective was underscored by the significant arsenal recovered from the vessel. Among the seized items were several assault rifles, various handguns, homemade explosive devices including molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, sophisticated telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms. This array of equipment highlights the organized and dangerous nature of the attempted incursion.

Following initial interrogations, six of the participants have been formally identified. They are:

• Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez,
• Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez,
• Conrado Galindo Sariol,
• Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello,
• Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and
• Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.

According to official data, all identified individuals are Cuban citizens residing in the United States, including who died during the incident, which has been identified as Michel Ortega Casanova.

Text reads: “It has been established that the neutralized speedboat, with Florida registration FL7726SH, was carrying 10 armed people who, according to statements from the detainees, had intentions of infiltrating for terrorist purposes.”

Cuban authorities informed that work is currently underway to identify the remaining three deceased persons.

Further investigation has revealed that a majority of the apprehended individuals possess a known history of criminal and violent activity: Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, both of whom are included on Cuba’s National List of individuals and entities targeted under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373.

This resolution, along with international law and Cuba’s domestic legal framework, designates individuals who have been subject to criminal investigations and are sought by Cuban authorities due to their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support, or commission of terrorist acts within national territory or in other countries. Their inclusion on this list underscores the serious nature of their alleged activities and their potential ties to broader terrorist networks.

Cuban authorities proceeded with the detention of Duniel Hernandez Santos, since evidence indicates that he was dispatched from the United States with the specific mission of ensuring the reception in Cuba of the armed infiltration group. According to the preliminary questioning, Hernandez Santos has reportedly confessed to his role in facilitating these actions.

The ongoing investigation aims to achieve a total clarification of all facts surrounding this attempted terrorist incursion, shedding light on its full scope and any potential international connections.

In the face of current events, Cuba has reaffirmed its willingness to protect its territorial waters, reaffirming that the national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban Revolution in favor of protecting its sovereignty and the stability in the Caribbean region.

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