Havana Reports Second Vessel Involved in Deadly Infiltration Attempt

Cuban authorities have expanded their account of the February 25 shootout involving a Florida-based speedboat. New evidence suggests the operation originally involved two vessels, though only one reached Cuban waters after a mechanical failure forced the group to consolidate their resources.

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The “Failed” Second Boat

According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, the ten-man team departed Florida in two separate boats. Early in the journey, one vessel broke down and was abandoned at sea. The crew transferred all weaponry, fuel, and supplies to a 24-foot Proline speedboat, which then continued the mission toward the Villa Clara province.

Escalation at Cayo Falcones

The confrontation turned deadly approximately one mile off the coast of Cayo Falcones. Cuban officials provided the following timeline:

• Initial Contact: Cuban Border Guards intercepted the speedboat and ordered it to stop.
• The Firefight: Authorities claim the boat’s occupants opened fire first, hitting a Cuban commander and striking the patrol craft 13 times.
• The Result: Four individuals on the speedboat were killed, including U.S. citizen Michel Ortega Casanova. The remaining six were wounded and taken into custody.

Tactical Seizures & Domestic Arrests

State media showcased a significant “war chest” recovered from the vessel, intended to support what Havana describes as a terrorist infiltration.

• Hardware: 11 pistols, assault rifles, and over 12,800 rounds of ammunition.
• Tactical Gear: Night-vision optics, camouflage uniforms, and Molotov cocktails.
• The “Inside Man”: A 11th suspect, Duniel Hernández Santos, was captured on Cuban soil. Officials allege he traveled to the island ahead of time to coordinate the group’s arrival.

Strained Relations

The incident has placed a massive strain on U.S.-Cuba relations. While Cuba threatens the survivors with the death penalty, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly denied any federal involvement, citing that the vessel used in the raid was reportedly stolen from the Florida Keys.