Cuba charges six with terrorism after sea shootout

The Cuban prosecutor’s office has charged six people with ‘terrorist acts’ following an incident at sea. Cuban security forces killed four people and wounded six others.

According to the Cuban interior ministry, the group arrived from the US in a speedboat. After entering Cuban waters, they allegedly began firing at a border guard vessel. Security forces returned fire and detained six survivors.

Cuban authorities say the group was heavily armed, with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles and 11 pistols. The seized weapons and damaged boats, riddled with bullet holes, were shown on state television. According to the prosecutor’s office, those involved could face multiple terrorism-related charges.

If found guilty, they face sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years in prison and, in the most serious cases, even the death penalty.

Cuban authorities also say at least two of those detained were already on a list of suspected terrorists. However, the United States is questioning the Cuban account and is calling for an independent investigation into the incident.

(reuters, mja)