Cuba says speedboat attackers from Florida planned to destabilise country
#Cuba #Florida #Speedboat attack #Destabilization #US-Cuba relations #Government overthrow #Border confrontation #Political tensions
📌 Key Takeaways
- Cuban authorities killed four men in a shootout after accusing them of attempting to destabilize the government from a speedboat originating in Florida
- One of the deceased attackers, Michel Ortega Casanova, reportedly sought to overthrow Cuba's government according to his associates
- The US is investigating the incident and denies government involvement, though tensions between the two countries remain high
- Cuban officials defended their response and claimed the attackers fired first during the confrontation
📖 Full Retelling
Cuban authorities have accused 10 men on a speedboat sailing from Florida of attempting to carry out a campaign of violence to destabilize the island's communist government, resulting in a deadly shootout with Cuban border agents that killed four of the attackers on February 26, 2026. The incident occurred as tensions remain high between Cuba and the United States, with the Trump administration having recently imposed a fuel blockade on the island nation. Cuban President Manuel Diaz-Canel defended his government's response, stating that Cuba "will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability." According to Cuban officials, the six surviving crew members are receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the confrontation, while at least one Cuban border officer was also wounded. The Cuban government has identified only one of the four deceased attackers as Michel Ortega Casanova, whose associates confirmed he sought to overthrow the government in Havana. Casanova's brother stated that family members were unaware of his plans but believed he was motivated by the "great suffering" of people under the Cuban government. US officials have denied any government involvement in the attack and are investigating the incident, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming that the US embassy in Havana is seeking more details, including whether US citizens are among those detained. The incident occurs against a backdrop of historical US support for Cuban exiles opposed to the Havana government, though activist groups in South Florida have also launched independent operations. Cuban American community members have expressed skepticism about the Cuban government's claims, with one exile noting that "Nobody with a 25-foot speedboat tries to overthrow a government."
🏷️ Themes
International Relations, Political Conflict, Security
📚 Related People & Topics
Cuba
Country in the Caribbean
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean. It comprises the eponymous main island as well as 4,195 islands, islets, and cays. Situated at the convergence of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean, Cuba is located east of the Yucatán Peninsula, south ...
Destabilisation
Attempts to undermine political, military or economic power
The word destabilisation (alternatively, destabilization) can be applied to a wide variety of contexts such as attempts to undermine political, military or economic power.
Florida
U.S. state
Florida ( FLORR-ih-də; Spanish: [floˈɾiða] ) is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Straits of Florida to the south, and The Bahama...
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Original Source
News | Conflict Cuba says speedboat attackers from Florida planned to destabilise country Associates of one of the passengers killed in the alleged raid attempt said he sought to overthrow Cuba’s government. Listen to this article | 4 mins By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and The Associated Press Published On 26 Feb 2026 26 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Add Al Jazeera on Google Cuban authorities have accused 10 men on a speedboat sailing from the United States of attempting to carry out a campaign of violence to destabilise the island’s government. Four of the 10 men on the boat were killed in a shootout with Cuban border agents this week. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Russia considers fuel support for Cuba as Canada pledges food aid list 2 of 3 Cuban border agents fire upon Florida-tagged speedboat, killing four list 3 of 3 US to allow Venezuelan oil sales to Cuba as alarm grows in the Caribbean end of list On Thursday, Cuban authorities confirmed that the six remaining crew members were receiving medical treatment for their injuries. At least one Cuban officer was also hurt in the gunfire. CBS News also reported that at least one US citizen was among the dead, citing White House officials. Still, Cuban officials defended their government’s response and alleged the speedboat passengers shot first at border agents. “Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability,” Cuban President Manuel Diaz-Canel said in a social media post. The incident comes during a period of heightened tensions between Cuba and the US, which has made repeated threats against the island’s communist government. The administration of President Donald Trump has also ratcheted up measures meant to worsen economic conditions there, including by imposing a fuel blockade on Cuba in late January. Only one of the four men killed has been identified by th...
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