During the current year there has been an increase in incursions by speedboats from the United States, with the aim of carrying out human trafficking operations from Cuba to that country.
As a result of the actions of the Ministry of the Interior, 13 speedboats with 23 crew members from the United States have been intercepted in these illicit acts.
In addition to the inherent danger of these events, which involve risks and loss of human lives, situations of greater violence and aggressiveness have recently occurred with the use of firearms against the crews of surface units of Border Troops.
In the afternoon of June 18, 2022, a speedboat from the aforementioned country was detected when it was sailing west of Cayo Fragoso, Villa Clara. The boat entered inland waters, heading for the Nazábal coast, Encrucijada municipality. It was located at 3:28 p.m. by an interceptor boat of the Cuban border guard troops.
During the pursuit, unexpectedly and at close range, one of the crew members of the intruding boat opened fire on the combatants from the Ministry of the Interior, using a 5.56 mm caliber automatic rifle. One of the officers was injured and the surface unit of the Border Guard Troops, damaged with multiple impacts.
The aggressor boat headed north at high speed, while the Cuban vessel ceased the pursuit and immediately proceeded to evacuate the wounded crew member, who received medical assistance and underwent a surgical operation. Right now he is out of danger.
The United States Coast Guard Service was informed of this fact in real time, and was asked to take action to stop the aggressor speedboat and its crew. At the same time, forces from the Villa Clara Minint managed to arrest a group of 30 people who would be trafficked to the United States, who are under investigation.
During the return of illegal Cuban emigrants by sea, carried out by the United States Coast Guard Service on the morning of June 27, one of the citizens involved in the attack was returned.
In a similar event, which occurred at 02:55 hours that same day, a Border Guard Troops surface unit intercepted a Dakota model speedboat, registration FL2670JG, 3 nautical miles north of Bahía Honda, Artemisa. It was also from the United States.
Just as they were about to be identified, the offenders fired shots at our vessel. The crew responded to the attack. One of the assailants was seriously injured and later died.
During the inspection of the detained boat, evidence was found of the use of firearms by its crew and the presence of drugs. As a result of the shots fired, the unit of Border Guard Troops suffered several impacts from projectiles.
Within the framework of operational cooperation between the Cuban Border Guard Troops and the United States Coast Guard Service, the latter was informed of the identification data of the detainees and the deceased, as well as the characteristics and US registration of the vessel.
In both cases, rigorous investigations are carried out by the competent authorities to fully clarify the facts.
Once again unfortunate events are taking place as a result of the hostile and irresponsible policy of the United States government against Cuba in migratory matters, which stimulates the carrying out of human trafficking operations, organized by unscrupulous elements residing in said country, at the same time that hinders safe, orderly and regular emigration.
Source: MININT-Cubadebate