Related videos:
U.S. citizens were aboard the vessel involved in the deadly confrontation with the Cuban coast guard, according to Axios citing U.S. officials.
According to the report, the 24-foot boat —which was reportedly stolen in the Florida Keys— had U.S. citizens among its occupants when the shooting occurred on Wednesday off the Cuban coast.
The incident left four dead and six injured, creating a new point of tension between both countries.
Officials told Axios that at least one of the deceased was a U.S. citizen, while another U.S. citizen is among the injured and is receiving medical attention in Cuba.
Washington has formally requested consular access to the six survivors.
The Cuban regime identified among the injured Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Serrior, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, Roberto Álvarez Ávila.
For their part, Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Héctor Duani Cruz Correa were reported deceased.
Axios points out that some of the people on board had criminal records. At least one had a valid K-1 visa (fiancé(e) visa), while others may be permanent legal residents in the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. government is conducting an independent investigation into what happened and will not base its conclusions solely on the account provided by Havana.
Cuban authorities have stated that the vessel violated territorial waters and that its occupants intended to carry out a "terrorist infiltration," while also claiming that weapons were seized on board.
Washington, for its part, continues to gather information while seeking access to survivors to clarify the events. Havana claims that it is cooperating with U.S. authorities and that it already had information about the plans of those occupying the boat.
Filed under: