Cuba reaffirmed yesterday, through Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, its absolute and categorical commitment against terrorist acts, methods, and practices in all their forms and manifestations.
"Our country maintains an exemplary record in the fight against terrorism, and has fulfilled and will continue to honor the commitments it has made in this area," he emphasized, while also stressing that Cuba is a party to the 19 international conventions related to terrorism, in accordance with which it has implemented legal and institutional measures aimed at its effective combat.
In a statement to the press, he maintained that "Cuba has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters." And it does so in accordance with International Law, which applies to all countries, including the United States itself, he said. "It is also part of the national defense of the Cuban State, as an indispensable pillar for the protection of our sovereignty, life, security and well-being of Cubans."
In a context where the island denounced the attempted infiltration of the Cuban Navy on Wednesday by ten individuals aboard a vessel registered in the state of Florida, for terrorist purposes, Fernández de Cossío reported that, once the origin of the vessel was detected, Cuban authorities have been in communication with their counterparts in the United States, including the State Department and the Coast Guard.
He also announced that an investigation is underway to thoroughly clarify what happened. "The Cuban government is willing to exchange information with the U.S. government regarding this incident," he stated. "Among other requests, we will ask for information about those involved, the vessel used, and other details, through the existing mechanisms between the two countries. U.S. government authorities have expressed their willingness to cooperate," he emphasized.
As part of the preliminary information, the Vice Minister cited the following ten individuals as being involved in the incident: Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Serrior, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, Roberto Álvarez Ávila, Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Héctor Duani Cruz Correa. The last four were killed during the attack.
He noted that Rolando Roberto Ascorra Consuegra was initially mentioned due to an error in identification, as he is not part of the group, "although he is a person known for his history of involvement in violent actions and intentions against Cuba."
About the weapons occupied in the vessel he detailed that assault and sniper rifles were found; pistols; Molotov cocktails; multiple assault equipment, including night vision devices, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibers, food for use in combat, the media and a large group of monograms from counter-revolutionary organizations with terrorist orientation.
"This is not an isolated incident," stated Fernández de Cossío. "Cuba has been the victim of aggression and countless terrorist acts for more than 60 years, most of them organized, financed, and carried out from U.S. territory."
In this regard, he noted that, in recent years, the island has denounced the increase in violent and terrorist plots and actions against it, as well as the prevailing sense of impunity among the organizers and perpetrators.
The Caribbean nation has regularly provided the U.S. government with information on individuals who have promoted, financed, and organized violent and terrorist acts against the world. This includes the National List of individuals and entities that have been subject to criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities, compiled in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, the norms and principles of international law, and Cuban law.
Specifically, two of the perpetrators, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, are included on that list, which is shared with the U.S. for the years 2023 and 2025. "The Cuban government is still awaiting responses to its requests regarding them and the other individuals and organizations included on the issued list. Anti-Cuban groups operating in the United States resort to terrorism as an expression of their hatred for Cuba and the impunity they believe they enjoy," he stated.
