On Friday, Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the public in a televised appearance regarding the strained relations between the United States and Cuba. He declared that those apprehended in relation to the February 25 speedboat incident had confessed to a plot that Cuban authorities allege they intended to execute.
During his statement, Díaz-Canel emphasized that investigations carried out by state security had clarified the events, with those involved acknowledging their role. He insisted that the detained individuals admitted to planning an operation that they supposedly aimed to carry out.
He cited these confessions as evidence supporting the official account of the incident, situating the event within the broader context of Cuba-U.S. tensions—a central focus of his televised address.
The Investigation's Progress
Díaz-Canel noted that Cuban authorities have been probing the case, presenting evidence that they claim confirms the existence of the alleged plan. Throughout his address, he defended the state's response to such incidents and reiterated the government's stance that certain actions involving illegal departures or the use of vessels might be linked to operations orchestrated from abroad.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the regime anticipates a potential visit from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist in the investigation of the incident, which resulted in five fatalities. Describing the event as "an armed infiltration with terrorist aims, funded and organized from U.S. soil," Díaz-Canel explained that Havana had informed Washington about the situation.
U.S. Involvement and Ongoing Developments
The U.S. expressed, through diplomatic channels, its interest in participating collaboratively in clarifying the incident. "We promptly provided information about the events to the U.S. counterpart, which has expressed, via diplomatic and consular channels, its interest in jointly participating in the investigation. We await a potential visit from the FBI to further progress in this investigation," he stated.
He also refuted initial U.S. reports suggesting a possible family rescue mission, stating that the ten individuals aboard the vessel had illegally entered Cuban territorial waters and were "heavily armed."
Key Questions Surrounding the Speedboat Incident
What did Díaz-Canel reveal about the speedboat incident?
Díaz-Canel stated that those arrested in connection with the February 25 incident confessed to a plot, which Cuban authorities claim was intended to be executed.
How are U.S.-Cuba relations connected to this incident?
Díaz-Canel placed the incident within the context of ongoing tensions between Cuba and the U.S., suggesting that some actions involving illegal departures or vessels might be linked to foreign operations.
What is the Cuban government's stance on the incident?
The Cuban government views it as an armed infiltration with terrorist intentions, allegedly financed and organized from the U.S., and is investigating with potential FBI involvement.