Norita Zamora, sister of Michel Ortega, who tragically lost his life in the boat incident on February 25 in Cayos Falcones, is pleading with Cuban authorities for the chance to identify her brother's body before it is cremated.
During an interview with Alain Espinosa, a lawyer from Cubalex, Zamora expressed her determination to identify Michel's body, as she is currently in Cuba and ready to do so.
"I am Michel Ortega's sister. I am in Cuba, and I am prepared to identify my brother's body before it is cremated. Please help us; we need to see his body," Zamora implored.
Another family member, Dayana Morales, who is also Michel's sister, raised concerns about rumors suggesting that some bodies might have already been cremated.
"Hello, I am Michel Ortega's sister, and I want to know why there are claims that bodies might have been cremated already. Do you think this is possible since he was an American citizen?" Morales asked.
Misael Ortega, another brother, joined the conversation seeking more information about the incident.
"Hello, I am the brother of one of the deceased. What do you know? Thank you," he inquired. He also reported that their younger sister's house in Cuba was heavily monitored by four State Security agents.
Espinosa explained that cremating the bodies could destroy potential forensic evidence that might shed light on the incident. Such evidence is crucial to either support or challenge the Cuban regime's claim that the boat's passengers fired upon the border troops first.
The lawyer also highlighted that the families have not been allowed to view the bodies, preventing them from verifying the causes of death, and they have been unable to obtain any information about the detainees' whereabouts following the incident.
The February 25 incident involved a Florida-registered boat being intercepted by Cuban forces in Corralillo, Villa Clara, near Cayos Falcones, during an alleged illegal entry into the country. The confrontation resulted in several fatalities, including Michel Ortega, and injuries to six survivors on the boat. A border guard commander was also wounded. Recently, a fifth boat passenger was reported dead while in custody, without any information provided to their family.
Following these events, Cubalex filed a complaint with the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) due to the lack of information regarding the survivors' whereabouts and conditions. The organization noted that, for days, neither the families nor legal representatives could obtain official data about the survivors' location or health status in any hospitals or state facilities.
The cases recorded with the Committee involve Conrado Galindo Sariol, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Leordán Enrique Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, and José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, all facing terrorism charges.
Roberto Álvarez Ávila's death was confirmed by the Cuban regime, but the details of his demise remain unclear, including whether he died from gunfire in the clash or from subsequent beatings or injuries.
The Committee has responded to Cubalex's complaint, setting a deadline of March 19, 2026, for the Cuban regime to provide details on the survivors' exact whereabouts, the legal justification for their detention, and the official arrest documentation.
Additionally, Cubalex submitted a Habeas Corpus request to the Camagüey Courts on March 2, but it was not accepted, prompting them to file a complaint with the Cuban Supreme Court to highlight the lack of judicial independence on the island.
Key Questions Regarding the Cayos Falcones Incident
Why is identifying Michel Ortega's body important for the family?
Identifying Michel Ortega's body is crucial for the family to confirm his identity, understand the cause of death, and to ensure proper closure before any cremation takes place.
What evidence could be lost if the bodies are cremated?
Cremation could destroy forensic evidence that might clarify the events leading to the deaths, such as bullet trajectories or other physical trauma that could either support or contradict the official narrative.
What are the charges facing the boat's survivors?
The survivors of the incident, including Conrado Galindo Sariol and others, are facing charges of terrorism according to the Cuban authorities.