American Citizen Among Four Killed in Cuban Waters After Boat Occupants Allegedly Fired on Coast Guard

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

American Citizen Among Four Killed in Cuban Waters After Exchange of Fire

The White House confirmed on Thursday that a U.S. citizen was among four people killed in Cuban territorial waters after the occupants of a stolen speedboat allegedly opened fire on Cuban military personnel. The incident, which saw six other individuals aboard the vessel wounded and arrested, occurred when the boat, reportedly originating from Florida, entered Cuban waters on Wednesday.

According to Cuba's Interior Ministry, five members of the Border Guard Troops approached the speedboat approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino canal in Cayo Falcones for identification. The ministry claims that the individuals on the boat then began shooting, wounding the commander of the Cuban patrol boat. This account contrasts with initial reports and highlights the volatile nature of the encounter.

The Interior Ministry further alleged that the ten people aboard the boat were armed with assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms. Cuba's government asserts that the group was attempting to "carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes." The four individuals identified by Cuba as deceased are Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Hector Duani Cruz Correa. The six wounded and arrested individuals were identified as Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, and Roberto Álvarez Ávila.

A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that at least one U.S. citizen was killed and at least one U.S. citizen was among those arrested. Reports indicate that at least one occupant possessed a K-1 visa, typically used for fiancés of U.S. citizens to travel for marriage, while others are believed to be legal permanent residents of the U.S., though the exact number remains unclear. This detail adds complexity to the identities and potential motives of those on board.

Cuba had previously stated that the occupants were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S. However, the U.S. confirmation of American citizens on board complicates this narrative. An incident report from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Florida indicates that the owner of the vessel, Angel Walter Montera, alleged the boat was stolen by a former employee. Montera reported his 24-foot 1981 Pro-Line boat missing from his Big Pine Key property, stating he had not authorized its use.

The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that two of the boat's occupants, Sánchez González and Cruz Gómez, were wanted by Cuba and had been included in lists provided to U.S. authorities in 2023 and 2025. These lists reportedly detail individuals "subject to criminal investigations and wanted by Cuban authorities for their involvement in acts of terrorism." The embassy accused the U.S. of allowing these individuals "impunity within U.S. territory."

The U.S. has not publicly identified any of the boat's occupants nor commented on the specific reasons for their presence in Cuban waters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that the U.S. government possessed no information beyond what Cuban authorities had disclosed, and that the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and other agencies were investigating the incident. "We're gonna find out exactly what happened here and we'll respond accordingly," Rubio remarked.

Cuba's Embassy in the U.S. further stated via social media that Cuban authorities had maintained communication with their U.S. counterparts, including the State Department and the Coast Guard, from the outset of detecting the vessel originating from U.S. territory. The embassy added that an investigation was underway to clarify the facts with "utmost rigor" and expressed willingness to exchange information, requesting details on those involved and the means used through existing mechanisms. The U.S. government authorities reportedly showed willingness to cooperate.

Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of one of the deceased, Michael Ortega Casanova, told The Associated Press that his brother was on an "obsessive and diabolical" mission to overthrow Cuba's communist government. He described his brother as an American citizen who had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years and worked as a truck driver.

The incident occurs amidst heightened U.S.-Cuba tensions, following recent sanctions imposed by President Trump. This maritime confrontation underscores the complex and often fraught relationship between the two nations, raising questions about border security, potential illicit activities, and the ongoing political dynamics.

Ekhbary News Agency