This past Friday, the Cuban government publicly justified the actions of its Border Guard Troops during a shooting incident with a speedboat that occurred off the coast of Villa Clara last Wednesday. Officials claimed that their use of force was "measured," "proportional," and a reaction to an attack.
In a special broadcast titled "The Reasons of Cuba" aired on official channels, Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez, Chief of Staff of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, clarified that their standard operating procedures do not include shooting as the first response to a vessel detected in Cuban territorial waters.
"Our approach is primarily a defensive one, rarely involving the use of firearms," stated the colonel. He explained that the initial steps involve identifying, trailing, escorting, and convincing the vessel to stop its course.
Carballo Pérez detailed that the speedboat was detected at 7:10 in the morning using technical means, located north of Corralillo municipality in Villa Clara province, within Cuban territorial waters.
He further explained that an interceptor unit was dispatched to inspect the naval target, which was initially stationary but later began moving southward.
The military chief noted that as the Cuban interceptor neared approximately 185 meters, the occupants of the offending boat opened fire on the crew.
According to his account, the captain of the Cuban unit was struck in the abdominal area.
In response to this attack, he said, the five crew members of the Cuban guard boat returned fire using their standard-issue weapons.
The exchange resulted in three initial fatalities among the speedboat's occupants and seven others injured, as reported by the authorities. Later, the total number of deaths increased to four.
The colonel emphasized that the intercepted boat carried ten people, twice the number of Cuban personnel, and insisted that their response was "vigorous" but aligned with established protocols.
He also dismissed allegations circulating on social media about the use of heavy weaponry by the Cuban forces, stating that the unit was only equipped with three AKM rifles and one RPK light machine gun, as part of their standard gear.
After neutralizing the vessel, authorities evacuated the injured to shore for transport to medical facilities, the official noted.
The Cuban government has maintained that the boat breached Cuban territorial waters and that its occupants intended to carry out an armed infiltration.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions, especially after it was confirmed that among the victims was at least one U.S. citizen and legal residents of the United States.
While Havana insists it acted in self-defense and in accordance with international regulations, the U.S. government has announced an independent investigation and requested consular access to the survivors.
This event takes place amid a politically sensitive environment between the two countries, characterized by recent talks and statements regarding the future of bilateral relations.
Questions about the Sea Shooting Incident and Diplomatic Tensions
What prompted the Cuban Border Guard to open fire on the speedboat?
According to the Cuban authorities, the Border Guard Troops opened fire in response to being shot at by the occupants of the speedboat.
How many casualties resulted from the incident?
Initially, three occupants of the speedboat were killed, and seven were injured. The total number of fatalities later rose to four.
What has been the international response to the incident?
The U.S. government has called for an independent investigation and has requested consular access to survivors, while diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have intensified.