Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Cuban troops report fatal clash with Florida speedboat

Published:Tuesday | June 28, 2022 | 4:38 PM
The Interior Ministry statement read over state television Monday night comes amid a sharp increase in migration from Cuba to the United States, both by sea and via Mexico, at a time of economic hardships aggravated by the pandemic and by tightened US sanctions. -Contributed photo.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban authorities say they have intercepted more than a dozen speedboats arriving from the United States this year — including two shooting incidents and at least one death.

They say US authorities have handed over a suspect in the shooting of a Cuban coast guard officer.

The Interior Ministry statement read over state television Monday night comes amid a sharp increase in migration from Cuba to the United States, both by sea and via Mexico, at a time of economic hardships aggravated by the pandemic and by tightened US sanctions.

The ministry said its coast guard units had intercepted 13 speedboats from the US entering Cuban waters this year, with 23 crew members.

It was not clear how many of the boats might have reached shore or how many of those aboard were arrested.

It mentioned at least some arrests, but also at least one case in which a boat escaped.

“Recently situations of greater violence and aggressiveness have occurred, with the use of firearms” against Cuban coast guard units, the ministry said.

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