Cuban prosecutors have charged six Cuban nationals with “crimes of terrorism,” accusing them of entering Cuban waters on a U.S.-flagged speedboat carrying a cache of weapons intended to foment unrest. The vessel was intercepted last week by the Cuban coast guard, leading to a shootout in which Cuban authorities say four people aboard the speedboat were killed and six others were wounded.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry says the group opened fire on a border guard vessel as coast guard personnel approached to demand identification. Officials displayed photos they said showed bullet holes from the exchange, which they state occurred at a distance of about 20 meters. Cuban forces returned fire and detained six survivors. Authorities reported the boat contained a variety of firearms, including 14 rifles, 11 pistols, and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition.
Prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell said at least two of the detainees had prior accusations of involvement in terrorism. He warned that, if convicted, the defendants could face prison terms of 10 to 15 years for lesser offenses and 20 to 30 years — or the death penalty — for the most serious charges.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States, which has recently halted oil shipments to the island. U.S. political leaders have expressed skepticism about the Cuban account and called for independent investigations. Senator Marco Rubio publicly denied any U.S. government role, saying the episode was not a U.S. operation and that no U.S. personnel were involved.
Edited by: Zac Crellin