In a surprising revelation, a former member of the group linked to the armed confrontation near Villa Clara's coast has come forward from Florida to disassociate himself from the operation that resulted in four deaths and several arrests in Cuba.
The individual, who requested anonymity and had their voice altered for security reasons, spoke to Univision journalist Javier Díaz. They claimed to have been part of the movement initially, but distanced themselves due to internal disagreements.
"This began on TikTok. I joined that group too. We were a prepared movement. 'He' was in the special forces and had extensive knowledge about many things," the ex-member recounted.
It remains unclear who "he" refers to, but this person is described as having military expertise and leadership within the group.
Internal Disputes and the Decision to Leave
According to the former member, the plan that led to the armed incursion was not a recent development.
"What happened now should have occurred earlier. The issue was that it wasn't secure at the time, and they hesitated," they stated.
Internal conflicts marked their departure. "I had differences with him because there were many things I disagreed with. There were certain ambitions to seize power in Cuba, things that didn't align with me," they pointed out.
The individual believes their departure weakened the original group. "When I left, when I parted ways, the movement weakened. They sought other alternatives, joining other groups. People from other groups joined," they asserted.
Training and Preparation in Florida
Following the restructuring, training commenced in Florida, preparing for the armed action.
"They started training in Florida and prepared for this moment," the former member explained.
Despite claiming to have detailed knowledge of the group's structure and plans, they emphasized non-involvement in the incursion.
"I know the names of everyone involved, the details of what they were going to do, but I can't speak about it because I'm a man of my word," they said. "I have nothing to do with this, as I distanced myself long ago," they reiterated, stressing their disconnection from recent events.
They also mentioned other movements in the U.S. ready to act if the operation had succeeded. "I know there are other movements here prepared for a 'second wave' if they had been successful," they concluded.
Official Account of the Confrontation
The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) reported that a suspected "fast boat" with Florida registration (FL7726SH) was detected in Cuban waters, about a nautical mile northeast of El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara.
According to official statements, a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops approached the vessel to identify it. Allegedly, the boat opened fire on the Cuban military, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The Cuban vessel's commander was injured, and four individuals on the boat were killed, with six wounded and receiving medical care.
MININT claimed the vessel carried ten armed individuals intending to enter the national territory for "terrorist purposes," based on preliminary detainee statements.
Among those arrested were Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.
Duniel Hernández Santos was also detained in Cuban territory, allegedly linked to the group's reception. Authorities reported seizing assault rifles, handguns, homemade incendiary devices, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.
Some involved had criminal records, and two were listed in national databases connected to prior investigations. The names of Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez appeared on a list updated by the current regime in July, presented to the UN as part of their national roster of individuals considered terrorists.
Republican Party of Cuba Distances Itself
Amidst the controversy, the Republican Party of Cuba (PRC), identifying as the largest opposition political organization in the country, issued a statement to dissociate from the armed action.
The organization, active both within and outside the island, reaffirmed its strictly political mission. "The PRC does not direct armed actions, nor does it control individual decisions or actions its members or followers may take personally," the statement on Facebook noted.
The Party confirmed that Michel Ortega Casanova—one of the four individuals killed during the confrontation—was a member, but emphasized that the leadership was unaware of his intentions.
As the Cuban government labels the incursion a terrorist act orchestrated from abroad, the testimony of the former member in Florida reveals internal fractures, leadership ambitions, and an operation that, according to him, was executed without his direct involvement.
The official investigation is ongoing, further straining the already tense relationship between the exiles and the Havana regime.
Insights into the Armed Confrontation
What led to the armed confrontation off the Cuban coast?
The confrontation was allegedly the result of a plan by a group to enter Cuban territory with "terrorist purposes," as per the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT). The incident resulted in a shootout with Cuban military forces.
Who was involved in the operation?
The group reportedly included ten armed individuals, with several names mentioned such as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez. Some had criminal backgrounds and were linked to previous investigations.
How did the Republican Party of Cuba react?
The Republican Party of Cuba distanced itself from the armed action, stating that their mission is strictly political and they do not control individual actions taken by their members.