The Cuban regime publicly defended the actions of its Border Guard Troops this Friday regarding the shooting against a speedboat that occurred last Wednesday off the coast of Villa Clara, asserting that the use of force was “rational,” “proportional,” and in response to an aggression.
During a special program "Reasons of Cuba" broadcast on official media, Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez, head of the General Staff of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, explained that the operational protocol does not include shooting as the first response to a vessel detected in Cuban territorial waters.
"The operational model is rational above all. It is a defensive model that practically never uses firearms," the officer stated. He explained that the initial procedure involves identifying, pursuing, accompanying, and persuading the vessel to stop its movement.
Carballo Pérez stated that the boat was detected at 7:10 in the morning using technical means in a position located north of the municipality of Corralillo, in the province of Villa Clara, within Cuban territorial waters.
According to your explanation, an interceptor unit was sent to verify the naval target, which was initially stationary and then began to move south.
The military chief indicated that as the Cuban intercepting boat approached to approximately 185 meters, the occupants of the violating vessel opened fire on the crew.
According to his account, the commander of the Cuban unit was struck in the abdominal area.
In response to that aggression, he explained, the five crew members of the border patrol boat responded with standard issue weaponry.
As a result of the exchange of gunfire, three of the occupants of the speedboat initially died, and another seven were injured, according to the account provided by the authorities.
Subsequently, the total number of deceased rose to four.
The colonel emphasized that the intercepted vessel was carrying ten people, double the number of Cuban officials, and stated that the response was "vigorous" but in accordance with the established protocols.
He also denied reports circulated on social media regarding the use of heavy weaponry by Cuban forces, stating that the unit only had three AKM rifles and one light machine gun RPK as part of its standard equipment.
After neutralizing the boat, the authorities proceeded to evacuate the injured to dry land for their transport to hospitals, the official indicated.
The regime has maintained that the vessel violated Cuban territorial waters and that its occupants intended to carry out an armed infiltration.
The case has generated diplomatic tensions, especially after it was confirmed that among the victims there was at least one American citizen and legal residents in the United States.
While Havana insists it acted in self-defense and in accordance with international norms, the U.S. government has announced an independent investigation and has requested consular access to the survivors.
The incident occurs in a context of high political sensitivity between both countries, marked by recent contacts and statements regarding the future of their bilateral relationship.
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