The head of the Cuban Border Guard Troops, First Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez, has asserted that they kept their American counterparts updated on every aspect of the armed confrontation involving a boat from Florida.
"On the day of the incident, there was an exchange with the U.S. Coast Guard liaison stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as with the Seventh District located in Miami," Carballo Pérez stated during the special program Las Razones de Cuba on Friday.
The interactions reportedly included "several phone calls and messages."
Carballo Pérez previously mentioned that a longstanding operational cooperation exists with the U.S. Coast Guard, encompassing various areas such as migration, international drug trafficking, and search and rescue missions.
Public Skepticism and Official Claims
In the same television program, Colonel Víctor Álvarez Valle claimed that the group's intention was to "overthrow the revolution," a statement he insisted was "thoroughly verified," sparking a wave of reactions among Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Many comments expressed doubt over the official narrative shared during Razones de Cuba, hosted by pro-government spokesperson Humberto López.
"His argument is laughable and he acts so serious," one user remarked. Another joked, "Was that a speedboat or the Titanic? Come on, Humberto López."
Critics also questioned the amount of weaponry shown in the program: "And that boat didn’t sink with all that armament?" asked another observer.
The sarcastic tone was common. "Is this the 67th season of Julito the Fisherman?" someone quipped, while another suggested it was a staged event: "They already had the show set up and the list made days before."
Comparisons to past incidents were also made: "But that's exactly what the 26th of July Movement did," a reader commented, referring to armed actions against state facilities.
Beyond the irony, political fatigue was evident. "And who wants the revolution? It's the cause of an entire people's misery," one commenter expressed.
Another summed up the prevailing sentiment among Cubans with stark realism: "There hasn't been a revolution in many years; it's every man for himself."
The reactions on social media highlight a climate deeply marked by distrust and polarization towards the official discourse.
Understanding Cuba's Political Climate
What was the nature of the cooperation between the Cuban Border Guards and the U.S. Coast Guard?
According to Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez, there is a long-standing operational partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard covering areas like migration, international drug trafficking, and search and rescue missions.
How did the public react to the official Cuban narrative about the boat incident?
Public reactions were marked by skepticism and sarcasm, with many questioning the credibility of the official claims and comparing them to past government actions.