Cuba’s deputy foreign minister on yesterday’s attack
"Cuba has been the victim of attacks and countless acts of terrorism for more than 60 years, most of which have been organized, financed, and carried out from the territory of the United States."
Yesterday, our authorities reported that 10 individuals on a vessel registered in the state of Florida, United States, attempted infiltration for terrorist purposes.
From the outset, after detecting that the vessel originated from U.S. territory, Cuban authorities have maintained communication with their U.S. counterparts, including the State Department and the Coast Guard, regarding this terrorist attempt.
An investigation is underway to clarify the facts with the utmost rigor. The Cuban government is willing to exchange information with the United States on this matter. Among other requests, we will ask the US authorities for information on those involved, the means used, and other details through existing mechanisms. US government authorities have shown their willingness to cooperate in clarifying the facts.
It should be noted that the 10 individuals involved in the incident are as follows: Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, Roberto Álvarez Ávila, Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Hector Duani Cruz Correa, the latter four deceased.
In initial reports, Rolando Roberto Azcorra Consuegra was mistakenly identified as a member of the group, although he is not. He is known for his history of violent actions and intentions against Cuba.
As previously reported, the items seized on the boat included weapons such as assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, and Molotov cocktails, as well as multiple pieces of assault equipment, including night-vision equipment, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibers, combat rations, communication equipment, and a large number of insignia from counterrevolutionary terrorist organizations. This information is still preliminary. More details will be provided in the coming days.
This is not an isolated incident. Cuba has been the victim of attacks and countless acts of terrorism for more than 60 years, most of which have been organized, financed, and carried out from the territory of the United States.
In recent years, Cuban authorities have denounced the rise in violent and terrorist plans and actions against Cuba, as well as the sense of impunity that prevails among the organizers and perpetrators in the face of inaction against them.
The Cuban authorities have regularly provided the US government with information on individuals who, in recent years, have been involved in promoting, financing, and organizing violent and terrorist acts against Cuba.
This information includes the National List of individuals and entities that have been the subject of criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities for their involvement in acts of terrorism. It is prepared in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, the norms and principles of international law, and the national legal system.
Two of the perpetrators, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, are included in this list, which was shared with the United States in 2023 and 2025 and have enjoyed impunity within U.S. territory. The Cuban government is still awaiting responses to requests for information about them and the other individuals and organizations included in the list.
Anti-Cuban groups operating in the United States resort to terrorism as an expression of their hatred of Cuba and the impunity they believe they enjoy.
Cuba reaffirms its absolute and categorical commitment to combating all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Our country maintains an exemplary record in combating terrorism, has fulfilled its commitments, and will continue to honor them. Cuba is a State Party to 19 international conventions on terrorism, pursuant to which it has implemented legal and institutional measures to effectively combat this scourge.
Cuba has a duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters. Our actions are consistent with international law, which applies to all countries, including the United States. It is also part of the Cuban state’s national defense, an indispensable pillar for protecting our sovereignty and the life, security, and well-being of Cubans.
