The American online media outlet Axios reported on Thursday, February 26, citing anonymous U.S. officials, that the Florida speedboat attacked by Cuban coastguards on Wednesday was stolen and had American citizens on board.
The deadly incident in Cuban waters on Wednesday resulted in 4 deaths and 6 injuries.
One American official told Axios that the boat’s owner in Florida reported that the vessel was stolen by an employee.
The official stated that some individuals on the boat have criminal records, and at least one of the deceased was an American citizen.
The official also mentioned that another American citizen was injured and is currently receiving treatment in Cuba.
According to the official, at least one person on board had a valid U.S. K-1 visa. This is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreigners to enter the U.S. to marry U.S. citizens.
The other individuals on the boat are believed to be legal U.S. permanent residents.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Florida confirmed to Axios that they are investigating the theft of the boat.
According to the Sheriff’s Office report, the boat owner reported on Wednesday evening after receiving media inquiries about the incident that the boat was stolen on Big Pine Key.
The owner told the Sheriff’s Office that he suspected a man involved in home renovation work tiling floors had taken his boat and abandoned his truck near where the boat was docked.
The report stated that the victim told investigators that the man “has family in Cuba, including two young daughters still in Cuba.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is investigating the incident and has formally requested Cuba to allow visits to the 6 injured individuals.
Cuba claimed that when the boat approached Cuba, individuals on board fired at the Cuban Coast Guard, prompting the Coast Guard to return fire.
Reuters reported earlier on Thursday about the names of some individuals involved released by Cuba, stating they are anti-government Cuban citizens. The report mentioned that some survivors are currently detained at the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santa Clara Province. The hospital is located about 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Havana, heavily guarded by soldiers.
The Cuban government stated that the attackers in Wednesday’s incident were made up of anti-government Cuban citizens, some of whom were previously wanted for planning attacks. Officials disclosed the names of two detainees: Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez.
The other four individuals are Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.
Cuba indicated that the suspects came from the U.S., wearing camouflage uniforms, carrying assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, and scopes.
Cuba also mentioned that they detained another Cuban man, Duniel Hernandez Santos, who arrived in Cuba from the U.S. to receive these victims.
Cuba released the name of one deceased individual, confirmed as Michel Ortega Casanova, while the identities of the other three deceased individuals have not been determined.