Cuba Confirms Fifth Death After Speedboat Confrontation
HAVANA, March 5– Cuban authorities said on Thursday that a fifth person has died following last week’s speedboat confrontation in Cuban waters, after a wounded passenger succumbed to injuries in hospital, according to a statement from the Cuban interior ministry.
Roberto Alvarez Avila died on March 4 while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident, the ministry said. The confrontation occurred when Cuban forces intercepted a speedboat that had entered the country’s territorial waters, resulting in the deaths of four Cuban nationals and injuries to six others aboard the vessel.Hospital death raises casualty tollThe interior ministry said Alvarez Avila had been hospitalized after the incident and died several days later due to injuries sustained during the encounter. His death raises the total number of fatalities linked to the confrontation to five.Cuban officials previously confirmed that security forces opened fire on the speedboat after it entered national waters. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading to the interception or the identities of those on board, beyond confirming that the passengers were Cuban nationals.
Six people were initially reported wounded during the operation, and it remains unclear how many continue to receive medical treatment following the incident.Government statement on the operationThe Cuban interior ministry described the episode as a response by state forces to an unauthorized maritime incursion. According to the ministry, the speedboat was detected within Cuban waters before security personnel moved to intercept it.Authorities did not elaborate on whether the vessel was attempting to depart the island or enter from abroad. Cuban officials also did not specify the location of the confrontation beyond confirming it occurred within Cuban territorial waters.Government statements so far have focused on confirming casualty figures and describing the sequence of events surrounding the interception.Limited details releasedCuban authorities have released few operational details since the incident occurred, and no additional information has been provided regarding potential investigations or follow-up actions.
The deaths have drawn attention to maritime security operations around the island, where authorities routinely monitor coastal waters to enforce national border controls.Officials have not indicated whether further statements or findings about the incident will be made public.The interior ministry said the situation remains under review as authorities continue to account for those injured during the confrontation.
