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The pain and indignation marked the gathering of family and friends of the Cubans who died in an alleged confrontation with border guard forces in Cuba.
Gathered at Casa Cuba in Tampa, they denounced that the victims were "massacred" and questioned the official version disseminated by the regime.
According to statements collected by journalist Gilberto Dorrego from Telemundo, Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michael Ortega Casanova, stated that he received news that the bodies might not be returned.
"She lost her body, but her soul returned to God who gave it to her. And no one can question that," she stated. She added that they were "induced" and ended up paying with their lives.
Ortega said that he trusts the truth will come to light and defended his family's spiritual convictions.
He assured that he is not afraid of what the authorities might say nor of any potential repercussions against relatives in Cuba.
"When are we going to put an end to that fear?" he questioned, referring to the fear of not being able to return to the island or of possible reprisals.
Another family member of the group of Cubans intervened to send a direct message to the people of the island.
He pointed out that neither the deceased nor their children were lacking anything in the United States and rejected the idea that the exile could criticize from a place of comfort.
He stated that they crossed the Florida Strait to fight for change on the island and called for a massive peaceful mobilization within the country.
He also mentioned the support of the United States government and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the current political landscape.
In statements published on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío identified those involved as Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Serrior, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, and Roberto Álvarez Ávila.
He added that Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Héctor Duani Cruz Correa died during the confrontation.
Cuban authorities claim that the group was attempting to enter the island for terrorist purposes.
The family members, however, insist that they were seeking the freedom of Cuba and demand that the events be clarified and that the bodies be returned.
So far, no independent evidence has been released to confirm either version.
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