“Cuba does not attack or threaten.” The President of Cuba reacts after the US speedboat attack
“Cuba does not attack or threaten. We have raised this repeatedly and we reaffirm it today: Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness in the face of any terrorist and mercenary aggression that tries to affect its sovereignty and national stability,” Diaz-Canel wrote on the X platform.
What were the intentions of the crew of the fired motorboat?
How many people died in the incident?
What did the speedboat's cargo contain?
Who is the president of Cuba?
The entry was accompanied by a statement from the Ministry of Interior, which stated that the crew of the boat under fire had “intent to carry out infiltration for terrorist purposes.”
Incident in Cuban waters. Four people died in the shooting
Cuban state media reported that a US-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters and its crew opened fire on a Cuban patrol. Four people on a speedboat were killed in the shooting and six others were injured. One of the Cuban soldiers was also injured.
According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, published by the state-run Granma daily, there were 10 Cubans permanently living in the United States on board the motorboat. Rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails and bulletproof vests were found on the boat.
It was also reported that a man had been detained in Cuba and was “sent from the United States to ensure the reception of armed infiltration.” The investigation into the boat is ongoing, noted the Cuban Ministry of Interior.
Tensions between the US and Cuba
The incident came at a time of growing tensions in relations between the United States and Cuba. After the overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to cut off oil supplies to Cuba, which is almost completely dependent on fuel imports.
Oil shortages further exacerbated the economic crisis in Cuba. There is a shortage of electricity, food and other necessities on the island. According to commentators, US pressure is aimed at bringing about the fall of the communist regime in Havana.
