Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel revealed during a press conference in Havana on Friday (March 13) that experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may travel to Cuba to conduct a joint investigation into a recent shooting incident involving a U.S. vessel at sea.
He also confirmed that Cuba recently held talks with the U.S. government in hopes of “seeking solutions to bilateral disputes through dialogue.” This is the first time Cuba has publicly acknowledged the previously speculated secret meetings between the U.S. and Cuba.
According to the Miami Herald, Diaz-Canel stated during the press conference that FBI experts may travel to Cuba to assist in the joint investigation into a recent deadly shooting incident between a Florida-registered vessel and the Cuban coast guard.
“We are waiting for the possibility of FBI experts visiting and participating in the investigation and clarification work with our interior ministry personnel,” he said.
The FBI Miami office declined to comment on the matter, stating that the State Department is responsible for handling related issues.
Diaz-Canel introduced that on February 25, Cuban authorities intercepted a vessel registered in Florida about a mile off the Cuban coast, carrying 10 men. A conflict during the interception resulted in four deaths, with another person succumbing to injuries later. The remaining five individuals were detained and will face terrorism charges. Cuba has characterized the incident as an “attempt to carry out terrorist infiltration in Cuba,” and they allege that the detainees planned to attack Cuban military units and social centers.
Diaz-Canel stated that all detainees “admitted their involvement and acknowledged that they were the ones who first fired at the Cuban coast guard vessel.”
Senator Rubio expressed mistrust in the information released by the Cuban authorities and emphasized the need for an independent U.S. investigation.
According to two U.S. officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, during a Caribbean Community leaders’ meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his senior aides secretly met with Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of retired Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Secretary of State Rubio refused to confirm the reports, only stating that the U.S. is prepared to engage in dialogue with officials from any government at any time.
President Trump had previously hinted multiple times that his administration is in contact with Cuba.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Friday that Mexico has been facilitating U.S.-Cuba dialogue and will continue exploring alternative solutions for delivering oil to Cuba.
During the press conference, Diaz-Canel also detailed the severe energy crisis currently faced by Cuba. He mentioned that in the past three months, no oil has arrived in Cuba. Cuba currently relies on natural gas, solar energy, and thermal power plants to operate. The power shortage has affected sectors such as communications, education, and transportation, leading to the government having to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of patients.
Last week, a massive blackout hit western Cuba, leaving millions suddenly without power. Over 115 bread shops on the island have resorted to using firewood or coal for operation.
Following the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s critical oil transportation to Cuba was interrupted. Trump warned last week that Cuba has reached a breaking point and anticipates imminent “major changes.”
Diaz-Canel also mentioned that the Cuban Foreign Ministry announced the day before that they would release 51 prisoners as a result of their friendly relations and goodwill with the Vatican. He stated, “This is a decision we made autonomously, without anyone imposing any orders on us.”