[News] Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, to the national and foreign press

[Anti-Imperialist News]

*Embajada de Cuba en Estados Unidos* <https://www.facebook.com/EmbaCubaUS>
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*Statements by Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Cuba, to the national and foreign press.*

Havana, February 26, 2026

[image: image.png]

"Yesterday, our authorities reported an attempted infiltration for
terrorist purposes by 10 individuals on a vessel registered in the state of
Florida, United States.

>From the outset, and having detected that the vessel came from U.S.
territory, Cuban authorities have maintained communication about this
terrorist attempt with their U.S. counterparts, including the State
Department and the Coast Guard.

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 the existing mechanisms. The 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 y Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega
Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara y 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, despite being
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, Molotov cocktails, and 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 terrorist acts 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 increase in violent
and terrorist plans and actions against Cuba, and 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 subject to criminal investigations and are wanted by the
Cuban authorities for their involvement in acts of terrorism. It is drawn
up in accordance with Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security
Council, 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 enjoyed impunity within US territory. The Cuban
government is still awaiting responses to requests for information about
them and the other individuals and organizations included in the list
issued.

Anti-Cuban groups operating in the United States resort to terrorism as an
expression of their hatred against Cuba and the impunity they believe they
enjoy.

Cuba reaffirms its absolute and categorical commitment against all acts,
methods, and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Our country maintains an exemplary record in combating terrorism and has
fulfilled and will continue to honor the commitments it has made in this
area. Cuba is a State Party to the 19 international conventions on
terrorism, pursuant to which it has implemented legal and institutional
measures aimed at effectively combating 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 itself. It is also part of the Cuban
state's national defense as an indispensable pillar for the protection of
our sovereignty, the life, security, and well-being of Cubans".
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