Cuba Shooting: 4 Dead in Alleged Infiltration Attempt

Cuba’s government says the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the US who were attempting to infiltrate the island and commit acts of terrorism.

Cuba Boat Shootout: Government Claims Armed Infiltration Attempt

The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters and first opened fire, injuring one Cuban officer.

Cuba’s government stated that the majority of the 10 people on the boat “have a known history of criminal and violent activity.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was informed of the incident and that the U.S. is gathering information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents.

“We have various different elements of the US Government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now,” Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders.

The Cuban Government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities “based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organisation, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism”.

Authorities also arrested Duniel Hernández Santos, alleging he was “sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration” and has confessed to his actions. The Associated Press has not independently verified this information.

Cuba’s government identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Álvarez Ávila. However, Cuban officials later corrected the record, stating Roberto Azcorra Consuegra was not aboard the boat.

One of the four killed was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova.

“The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified,” the ministry said in a statement.

Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, expressed grief over his brother’s death, lamenting his involvement in what he called an “obsessive and diabolical” quest for Cuba’s freedom. He noted his brother, a truck driver and American citizen of over 20 years, leaves behind his wife, mother, two sisters, and a pregnant daughter.

“No one knew,” Misael said of his brother’s plans. “My mother is devastated.” He added, “They became so obsessed that they didn’t think about the consequences nor their own lives.” He did not recognize any of the names released by the Cuban Government.

Misael Ortega Casanova stated he doesn’t believe in heroes, but hopes his brother’s death might contribute to Cuba’s freedom.

A ‘Highly Unusual’ Shootout

Rubio described the shootout as “highly unusual,” noting such incidents haven’t occurred with Cuba in a long time. The US Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard are investigating.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said it would pursue answers “through every legal and diplomatic channel available.”

US Vice President JD Vance said he had been briefed on the incident and the White House is monitoring the situation.

Conrado Galindo Sariol, identified by the Cuban government, was interviewed in June 2025 by Martí Noticias, a US-based news site, where he expressed a desire to support the struggles for freedom in Cuba.

Fear over Increased Tensions

Rubio said he learned of the shooting before the Cuban government posted on social media, noting the US has “constant contact” with Cuba at the Coast Guard level.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry stated the boat was approximately 1.6 kilometres northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cuba’s north coast. The boat’s registration number was provided, but details could not be immediately verified in Florida.

The motive for the boat’s presence in Cuban waters remains unknown. The ministry stated Cuba’s government was “safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region”.

Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, ordered prosecutors to work with federal and state law enforcement partners to investigate, stating, “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.”