Cuba Denies Terrorist Infiltration Attempt from U.S. Territory

The Cuban government still awaits responses to information requests about them and the other individuals and organizations included in the issued List. Anti-Cuban groups operating in the United States resort to terrorism as an expression of their hatred for Cuba and the impunity they believe they enjoy. Cuba reiterates its absolute and categorical commitment against all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Our country has an exemplary performance in the fight against terrorism, and has fulfilled, and will continue to honor, the commitments it has assumed in this matter. Cuban authorities have regularly provided the U.S. government with information about individuals who, in recent years, have dedicated themselves to promoting, financing, and organizing violent and terrorist acts against Cuba. This information includes the national list of people and entities that have been subject to criminal investigations and are being sought by Cuban authorities for their connection to acts of terrorism. Mostly organized, financed, and executed from U.S. territory. In recent years, Cuban authorities have denounced the increase in plans and violent and terrorist actions against Cuba, and the sense of impunity that prevails among the organizers and perpetrators in the face of inaction. The Cuban government is willing to exchange with the U.S. side on this matter. Among other requirements, we will request information from U.S. authorities about those involved, the means used, and other details through the existing mechanisms between the two countries. The authorities of the U.S. government have shown a willingness to cooperate in clarifying these regrettable facts. It should be clarified that the 10 individuals involved in the incident are as follows: Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Serrior, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gomez, Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, Roberto Alvarez Avila and Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara and Hector Duani Cruz Correa, the last four of whom are deceased. In initial information, Rolando Roberto Ascorra Consuegra was mentioned by mistake due to an error in identification, and he is not part of the group, although he is a known person for his trajectory linked to violent actions and intentions against Cuba. As already reported, among the items seized on the vessel is weaponry. More details will be provided in the coming days. This is not an isolated act. Cuba has been a victim of aggressions and countless terrorist acts for over 60 years. Cuba is a party to 19 international conventions on terrorism, in accordance with which it has put in place legal and institutional measures aimed at effectively combating this scourge. Cuba has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters. Our performance is consistent with international law that accords to all countries, including the United States itself. Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío. Statement by the Vice Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cuba, Carlos Fernández de Cossío. Yesterday, our authorities denounced an attempted infiltration with terrorist purposes by 10 individuals, in a vessel registered in the State of Florida, in the United States. From the very first moment, and having detected that the naval vessel came from U.S. territory, Cuban authorities have maintained communication about this terrorist attempt with their U.S. counterparts, including the Department of State and the Coast Guard Service. It is also part of the national defense of the Cuban state as an essential pillar for the protection of our sovereignty, the life, security, and well-being of Cubans. It is elaborated in accordance with Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council, the norms and principles of international law, and the national legal framework. Two of the perpetrators, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, are included in the aforementioned List that was shared with the United States in 2023 and 2025, and they enjoyed impunity within U.S. territory. An investigative process is underway to clarify the facts with all rigor. This information is still preliminary. Among them are assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, Molotov cocktails, multiple assault kits that include night vision equipment, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibers, combat rations, communication means, and a large number of insignia from counter-revolutionary terrorist organizations.