Cuba Identifies Alleged Coup Plotters in Deadly Coast Guard Confrontation
The Cuban government has publicly named ten men it accuses of orchestrating a botched coup attempt from a speedboat, resulting in a deadly shootout with the Coast Guard. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday in waters off the Caribbean island, left four of the alleged plotters dead and six others injured and detained.
Details of the Alleged Coup Plot and Casualties
According to Cuban officials, the four men killed in the confrontation were identified as Pavel Alling Peña, Michel Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Hector Duani Cruz Correa. The six injured individuals taken into custody are Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gomez, Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, and Roberto Alvarez Avila.
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior has labeled the group as terrorists, alleging they hatched an elaborate plot to overthrow the government using weapons and explosives. Authorities claim the men, all residents of the United States, opened fire first on the Coast Guard, prompting a retaliatory response that turned fatal.
US Response and Investigation
The United States government has firmly denied any involvement in the incident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration would conduct its own independent investigation, emphasizing, "We are not going to base our conclusions on what the Cubans told us." This stance highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Background on the Speedboat and Suspects
The speedboat involved in the incident was registered in Florida and reported stolen from Big Pine Key around 9:30 AM on Wednesday. The owner, who had employed Cruz Correa for tile construction work, stated he did not grant permission to take the vessel. Cuban authorities reported seizing the boat filled with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, and camouflage gear.
Social media accounts linked to several of the men show them posing with weapons and together, suggesting prior connections. Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of the deceased Michel, described his sibling as having an "obsessive and diabolical" quest for Cuba's freedom, noting he was a US citizen who lived in Florida for two decades but remained consumed by liberating his homeland from communism.
Misidentification and Personal Stories
Roberto Azcorra Consuegra was initially named as a suspect but later came forward to deny involvement, claiming he was misidentified and was in South Florida during the incident. Meanwhile, Conrado Galindo Sariol, one of the detained, was identified as a former political prisoner who had long advocated for regime change in Cuba and endured torture in prison. His family expressed shock, stating they were unaware of his plans.
Authorities are also seeking Sánchez González and Enrique Cruz Gómez for their alleged roles in promoting, planning, organizing, financing, supporting, or committing terrorism. The Cuban government maintains that the men "invaded" the island in a coup attempt, though few details have emerged on how they believed they could successfully overthrow the regime.
