The Russian Government described this Thursday as an “aggressive US provocation” the incident that occurred the day before in Cuban territorial watersin which four crew members of a speedboat from Florida died after a confrontation with Cuban forces.
“It is a aggressive provocation by the United States, whose objective is to escalate the situation and spark a conflict“, declared the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, María Zajárova, quoted by press reports.
For his part, the spokesman for the Russian Presidency, Dmitri Peskov, declared that “the Cuban border guards did what they had to do in a situation like this.”
During his daily telephone press conference, Peskov noted that “regarding the security situation around the island, it is very important that all parties maintain restraint and do not allow any type of provocation.”
The official Russian spokesperson acknowledged that The situation around the largest of the Antilles is becoming increasingly tense and stressed that “no one should hinder the solution of the humanitarian problems faced by the island’s inhabitants.”
“Terrorist purposes”
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior (Minint) reported that the ten occupants of the intercepted vessel “they had intentions of carrying out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.”
According to the official statement, the boat, with Florida registration FL7726SH, illegally entered Cuban territorial waters.
After receiving the order to stop from the Border Guard Troops, its crew members opened fire on the Cuban unit that was trying to identify them.
In the confrontation, Four of the occupants were killed and six others were injured. A Cuban officer also suffered injuries and had to receive medical attention.
The vessel was intercepted in the northeastern area of the El Pino canal, in Falcones Cay, municipality of Corralillo, Villa Clara.
Identities and weapons seized
Cuban authorities identified the six detainees as Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.
So far, only has recognized one of the four deceased: Michel Ortega Casanova. Work is underway to confirm the identity of the other three. All are Cuban citizens residing in the United States, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
In parallel, the authorities detained Duniel Hernández Santos in Cuba, who is credited with coordinating the reception of the group in the national territory.
During the operation, assault rifles, short weapons, homemade explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms were seized.
According to preliminary statements cited by the island’s authorities, the detainees recognized that the plan consisted of entering the national territory armed.
The Minint also pointed out that Sánchez González and Cruz Gómez appear on the national list linked to Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council, for alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities.
EFE / OnCuba
