Miami's Cuban Exiles Baffled by Speedboat Shootout Near Cuba's Coast
In the heart of Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood, Calle Ocho typically bustles with life, but this week, a sense of curiosity and bewilderment hangs in the air. The news of a shootout at Cayo Falcones, barely a mile off Cuba's north coast, has left the Cuban expat community of over one million people puzzled and reflective.
On Wednesday, a confrontation erupted between the Cuban coastguard and ten heavily armed men aboard a speedboat stolen in Florida. Cuba's government reported that border agents returned fire after shots were fired from the speedboat, resulting in four deaths and six injuries. The men were dressed in camouflage and equipped with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests, and telescopic sights, along with containers bearing symbols of counter-revolutionary organisations.
Historical Echoes and Modern Mysteries
The incident evokes memories of past conflicts, such as the ill-fated 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. Javi González, a second-generation Cuban-American office worker, expressed disbelief, asking, "Didn't we stop doing that years ago?" The mystery deepens as identities are confirmed, including at least two US citizens, with one deceased, and others holding permanent residency or visas. Family members, like Misael Ortega Casanova, described an "obsessive and diabolical" quest for Cuba's freedom that led to tragic consequences.
Guillermo Grenier, a Havana-born professor at Florida International University, noted parallels to post-revolution groups like Alpha 66 but emphasised that such adventurism is now anachronistic. He stated, "This kind of approach is not serious. Any kind of adventurism like this has had its day." Polling shows newer generations of Cuban-Americans favour engagement over forcible overthrow, highlighting a shift in community attitudes.
Political Reactions and Ongoing Investigations
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, denied government involvement and announced an independent inquiry. Meanwhile, Cuba's vice-minister of foreign affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, reported open communication lines with the US, expressing hope for cooperation in clarifying the "regrettable" events. He reiterated Cuba's long-standing stance as a victim of US-based terrorist acts over six decades.
In Havana, locals like accountant Hugo Hernandez echoed this sentiment, recalling past vigilance against similar threats. The incident has not derailed diplomatic efforts, with reports of backchannel conversations between US and Cuban officials, including discussions at the Caricom meeting in St Kitts and Nevis.
Community Response and Cultural Context
In Miami, a vigil was held for the fallen, with tributes praising "patriots committed to the cause of freedom." However, questions remain about funding and motives, with no clear answers on how the group assembled from across Florida. Grenier speculated it might involve "ten crazy folks from Hialeah" rather than a coordinated plot, hoping the story fades without complicating negotiations.
As foot traffic remains slow outside the Bay of Pigs Museum, the community grapples with this unexpected event, reflecting on its historical significance and the evolving dynamics of US-Cuba relations. The shootout serves as a stark reminder of lingering tensions and the complex legacy of exile activism in South Florida.
