On 25 February 2026, a group of 10 Cuban-born citizens residing in the United States entered Cuban territorial waters north of Villa Clara province in a speedboat registered in the United States.
Upon being spotted by a vessel of the Cuban Border Guard, whose crew initially believed it to be a case of illegal migrant smuggling, the crew of the US vessel attempted to flee and fired upon the Cuban authorities, wounding the head of the border guards, who returned fire. During the ensuing firefight, four of the speedboat’s crew members were killed and six others were wounded, and all were detained.
It has emerged that some of them have a history of violent operations against Cuba; two of them appear on the National List of persons linked to terrorism under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373.
Assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, telescopic sights, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, uniforms, ammunition and other military equipment were seized from the boat.
These events are a continuation of a large number of attacks, infiltrations and maritime exfiltrations, and other terrorist acts carried out from US territory since the revolutionary triumph of 1959. Added to this are the recent threats by the US government against Cuba and the deployment of an excessive number of military personnel in the Caribbean region, creating a dangerous climate for peace and security in the region.
The Cuban authorities are investigating the incidents, have released some preliminary information to the press, and from the outset informed the US authorities through the US Department of State and the US Coast Guard, and a channel of communication remains open with them.
It is paradoxical that, in the face of this terrorist aggression from US territory, as well as many others, it is Cuba that appears on the US State Department’s list of countries that promote and support international terrorism, without a shred of evidence.
We believe that the Cuban authorities have legitimately defended themselves against an attack on their country, fulfilling their duties, which include protecting the peace and security of the Cuban people. Their actions are in accordance with international and national law, and we only hope that these regrettable events will serve to open a path to dialogue and negotiation between Cuba and the United States, based on mutual respect, equality between states and the willingness to develop normal relations, within the differences that separate us.
We demand that the US government refrain from supporting and/or permitting terrorist attacks against Cuba from its territory, and that it show the utmost respect for the sovereignty and independence of our country, immediately cease the policy of economic, financial and commercial blockade, and remove Cuba from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Until Victory Always!
Association of Cubans Residing in Jamaica Major General Antonio Maceo