The Cuban regime confirmed this Thursday its willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States to clarify the maritime confrontation that occurred this week off its shores, in which four people aboard a vessel registered in the state of Florida lost their lives.
In official statements, Cuba's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, affirmed that from the very first moment, the Cuban authorities have maintained communication with their American counterparts, including the Department of State and the Coast Guard, following what he described as an “attempted infiltration for terrorist purposes” by 10 individuals.
"The Cuban government is willing to engage in discussions with the United States regarding this matter," stated the diplomat, who indicated that additional information will be requested about those involved, the vessel used, and other details through the existing bilateral mechanisms.
According to De Cossío, U.S. authorities have shown willingness to cooperate in clarifying what happened, while in Cuba an investigative process continues "aimed at clarifying the facts with full rigor."
The deputy minister detailed the names of the 10 individuals involved in the incident, among them four deceased: Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, Héctor Duani Cruz Correa, and Pavel Alling Peña.
He also clarified that an initial report mistakenly mentioned Rolando Roberto Ascorra Consuegra, who — according to him — was not part of the group, although he identified him as someone linked to violent actions against Cuba.
Cuban authorities claim that various types of weapons were seized on the vessel, including assault rifles, sniper rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, night vision equipment, bulletproof vests, ammunition, and other materials that, according to the official version, would indicate a violent plan. They noted that the information is still preliminary and that more details will be provided in the coming days.
Havana framed the incident within what it describes as a long history of organized aggressions from U.S. territory.
The deputy minister reiterated that two of those involved, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordán Enrique Cruz Gómez, appear on a national list of wanted persons for alleged links to terrorist acts, which he stated was shared with the United States in 2023 and 2025, with no response received thus far.
Fernández de Cossío stated that Cuba has repeatedly denounced the impunity with which, in his view, anti-Cuban groups operate in the United States and reaffirmed his country’s "absolute and categorical commitment" against all forms of terrorism.
"The Cuban state has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters," he underscored, defending the actions of the authorities within the framework of international law and the defense of national sovereignty.
The statement comes as Washington has announced it will conduct its own investigation into the confrontation, amidst a backdrop of high political and diplomatic tension between both countries.
Filed under: