Washington, Feb 26, (dpa/GNA) – Cuba and the United States have been in contact, following a shoot-out between Cuban border guards and the crew of a US-registered speedboat in Cuban territorial waters, a senior Cuban official said on Thursday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossio, said US authorities had expressed willingness to cooperate in clarifying the incident. Discussions were being held with the US Department of State and the US Coast Guard, he said.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said border guards, spotted the boat early on Wednesday near Cayo Falcones in Cuban territorial waters. As a patrol vessel approached to identify it, the boat’s crew opened fire, the ministry said.
Four of the 10 people aboard the speedboat were killed and the others wounded. The commander of the Cuban patrol boat was also injured.
Cuban authorities said all those involved were Cuban nationals living in the United States who had terrorist intentions and sought to enter Cuba illegally.
Fernández de Cossio said authorities found assault rifles, pistols, Molotov cocktails, night-vision devices, bulletproof vests, camouflage clothing, ammunition and communications equipment on board, as well as insignia of “counterrevolutionary terrorist organizations.”
Relations between the US and Cuba have been strained since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and have deteriorated further in recent weeks. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has stepped up pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
Despite tensions, the two countries maintain regular communication on migration and coast guard matters.
GNA