The brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, one of the four Cubans killed in the alleged confrontation with the Border Guards at Cayo Falcones, brings the regime's official version of the event to the center of the debate.
In an interview with journalist Mario Pentón from Martí Noticias, Misael Ortega Casanova stated that he was unaware of any armed plan involving his brother and questioned the narrative being circulated from Havana.
Misael acknowledged that Michel had political concerns and was involved in a republican party, "but not in the sense of taking up arms, going to Cuba, intervening in Cuba. I don’t think it should be that way."
Who was Michel Ortega?
Michel Ortega Casanova was 54 years old and had been living in the United States for over 20 years. He worked as a truck driver and owned his home. "A normal guy," Misael stated, emphasizing that he did not see him as someone obsessive or extremist.
The family is originally from Morón, Ciego de Ávila. There are four siblings, of whom only one remains in Cuba. The mother resides in Spain.
The deceased was married and leaves behind two children: one in Spain and a daughter living in Lakeland.
Michel was a U.S. citizen and owned firearms. "I was going to shoot around there. You know, that’s what every American does. But the way they tell it…" Misael said, hinting at doubts about the official story.
The man claims that he has even avoided listening to the version provided by the Cuban government.
"I don't want to see any news because just hearing the dramatization they create, all that speculation, makes it seem like they're trying to justify something," she stated.
In his opinion, the events did not occur "as they are telling it."
The day of the event
Misael recounted that he started to worry when his brother did not respond to his usual calls. "He always called me on Sundays, and when I call him, it's strange that he doesn't answer. And then the phone was turned off."
Regarding what could have happened, he commented that Michel was going out with friends on a boat and that, as he understands it, the outing may have included shooting and fishing activities.
"It seems they were going to the shooting range and then headed out to fish; who knows what they actually did. But as for intervening in Cuba, I don't think that was the intention for which the regime wants to demonstrate in some way," he pointed out.
According to what he said, his brother mentioned at one point his intention to go to Cuba to bring aid to his hometown. "Not to intervene in any way, with weapons or anything like that."
Doubts about the official version
Pentón recalled that, according to official information, four people died and six were injured in the confrontation, while the United States announced that it is conducting its own investigation.
The journalist finds it "very strange" that, according to the Cuban regime, a boat allegedly full of weapons ended up with four occupants dead and six injured, while only one border guard was wounded.
Addressing the U.S. authorities, Misael expressed the pain of his loss and offered a broader reflection: "Today it was my turn to lose my brother, but how many families have been suffering for years?"
And she concluded that, from her faith as a Seventh-day Adventist, she prays for the end of the situation in Cuba: "This has to come to an end."
Michel, the only identified victim
So far, of the four Cubans who died in the confrontation with the Border Guards on Wednesday in Villa Clara, the only one whose identity is known is Michel Ortega Casanova.
The names of the other three have not been revealed yet.
The Casa Cuba organization of Tampa described him as "a patriot, a man committed to the cause of freedom and a member of the Cuban Republican Party," and declared three days of mourning with flags at half-mast.
The journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión reported alleged manipulations by the Cuban regime regarding the incident.
"Those who went to Cuba are not terrorists. They went to liberate our country," he stated, noting that groups in Miami had been training for months for a strategic operation, though he suggested that the plan may have been accelerated.
Version of the regime
The Ministry of the Interior of Cuba reported that the speedboat registered in Florida FL7726SH was carrying ten armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, intended to enter the country with “terrorist purposes”.
The authorities reported the arrest of Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, as well as Duniel Hernández Santos on Cuban territory.
The official statement indicated that some of those involved had criminal records and that two were listed in national directories related to previous investigations.
It was also reported the seizure of assault rifles, handguns, homemade incendiary devices, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.
Investigations are ongoing, according to the official report, to fully clarify the events.
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