Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, featured a speech from figurehead "President" Miguel Díaz-Canel on the top of its front page on Wednesday in which he declared that Cuba would "fight and resist" the U.S., shortly after Cuban forces allegedly engaged in a shootout with a Florida speedboat.
The post Cuban Figurehead Miguel Díaz-Canel After Florida Speedboat Attack: ‘We Will Fight, Struggle, Resist’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Cuba identified seven individuals of the ten it claims were onboard a Florida-registered speedboat intercepted in a fatal shootout.
The post ‘Patriots,’ ‘Terrorists,’ and Not Even There: The Little that Is Known of the Men ID’ed in Cuba Speedboat Shootout appeared first on Breitbart.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday evening that the government of President Donald Trump is working to verify the facts surrounding an alleged shootout at sea between an alleged Florida speedboat and the Cuban communist coast guard.
The post Marco Rubio: U.S. Not Taking Cuba’s Word in Fatal Florida Speedboat Incident appeared first on Breitbart.
The Kremlin said on Thursday that the Cuban coast guard “acted correctly” when it allegedly opened fire on a speedboat from Florida on Wednesday afternoon, claiming to kill four people aboard and wounding the other six.
The post Russia Says Cuba ‘Acted Correctly’ in Killing People on Florida Speedboat appeared first on Breitbart.
Russia warned Thursday against any "provocative actions" around Cuba after a shootout between the country’s coast guard and a U.S.-registered speedboat that left at least four dead.
The remark comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was "going to have our own information" on Wednesday's incident, and that "we'll respond appropriately based on what that information tells us."
"The situation around Cuba, as we can see, is heating up. The main thing is the humanitarian component. All humanitarian issues concerning Cuban citizens must be resolved, and no one should create obstacles," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, according to Reuters.
"As for security around the island, it is, of course, very important that everyone remain restrained and refrain from any provocative actions," he added.
RUBIO CALLS CUBAN SHOOTOUT WITH STOLEN SPEEDBOAT ‘HIGHLY UNUSUAL,’ WITHHOLDS JUDGMENT
Cuban officials say five service members approached the Florida-registered speedboat detected within Cuban territorial waters. Occupants then opened fire on Cuban troops, who returned fire, according to the Cuban foreign ministry. The ministry reported that "four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured." The Cuban vessel’s commander was also injured, according to the ministry.
Cuban officials also claimed the 10 passengers on the Florida-registered boat were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism.
Cuba’s government added that the majority of the 10 people on the boat "have a known history of criminal and violent activity," The Associated Press reported.
According to data retrieved by Fox News Digital, the vessel, registered in Florida with number FL7726SH, is a 24-foot Pro-Line boat.
CHINA SLAMS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER US SANCTIONS ON CUBA
"Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in the open sea like that. It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time. But we're going to find out," Rubio said Wednesday. "We're not going to base our conclusions on what they've told us. And I'm very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here, and we will know it soon. And then, you know, we'll respond appropriately based on what that information tells us."
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones from the Southern District of Florida also said Wednesday that, "Today's reports indicate that four people aboard a Florida-registered vessel were killed, and several others wounded, during a deadly gunfire exchange off the coast of Cuba. This is a tragic and deeply concerning event. The Cuban regime asserts their forces were fired upon, but the facts remain unclear and conflicting."
"We are using all available federal tools to understand exactly what happened, who was involved, and whether U.S. citizens or lawful residents were among the casualties. We are committed to a thorough, impartial, and fact-based investigation," he added.
Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf, Emma Bussey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The 10 passengers on a U.S.-registered speedboat fired on by a Cuban Coast Guard vessel were armed exiles trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism, Havana alleged Thursday.
The post Cuba Alleges 4 Killed in Speedboat Shooting Were Sent from the U.S. to Infiltrate the Country appeared first on Breitbart.
The Cuban Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday that a Cuban Coast Guard vessel fired on a U.S.-registered speedboat, killing four men aboard and wounding six other passengers.
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Cuba’s coast guard shot dead four people and wounded six others aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat in an exchange of gunfire off the communist island’s coast, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.
In a statement, the ministry said a Cuban patrol vessel had approached the Florida-registered boat to identify those on board when shots were fired from the boat, wounding the captain of the Cuban craft.
According to Havana’s statement, the boat was detected within Cuban territorial waters Wednesday morning on the northeast side of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province.
RUBIO HOLDING SECRET TALKS WITH RAUL CASTRO’S GRANDSON OVER CUBA’S FUTURE: REPORT
Cuban border troops moved in to inspect the vessel, but the "crew of the violating speedboat opened fire," prompting return fire from Cuban forces.
"As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured," the ministry said, adding that the injured were evacuated and are receiving medical care.
"In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region."
It also said investigations are ongoing to fully clarify the events.
The Ministry of Interior also released a statement late Wednesday confirming the speedboat was carrying 10 "armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from the detainees, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes."
The ministry said that "assault rifles, handguns, handcrafted explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic lookers and camouflage uniforms" were found.
Seven of the men have been identified, the ministry said, while work continues to confirm the identities of the remaining three.
The list included Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.
Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova.
"All participants are Cubans living in the United States," the ministry said, adding that, "most have a known history of criminal and violent activity."
TRUMP SAYS CUBA IS ‘READY TO FALL’ AFTER CAPTURE OF VENEZUELA’S MADURO
It specifically named Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez as being on the National List of persons and entities that, by virtue of Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council, international law and the Cuban legal system.
"They have been subjected to criminal investigations and are sought by the Cuban authorities, based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions materialized in the national territory or in other countries, based on acts of terrorism," the ministry said.
The ministry also said that Duniel Hernández Santos had "confessed to his actions."
According to data retrieved by Fox News Digital, the vessel, registered in Florida with number FL7726SH — is a 24-foot Pro-Line boat.
A source told Fox News that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement contacted the Miami-based owner, who confirmed the vessel had been docked at a marina in the Florida Keys.
POST-MADURO, PRESSURE BUILDS ON MEXICO OVER CUBA’S NEW OIL LIFELINE
After being notified by authorities, the owner — who is not considered a suspect — reported the boat stolen.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced on X that he had directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to start an investigation.
In his statement, Uthmeier said the Cuban government "cannot be trusted" and vowed that his office would "do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable."
SANCTIONED RUSSIAN JET TOUCHES DOWN IN CUBA, ECHOING SECRET FLIGHTS BEFORE MADURO'S OUSTER
The incident happened while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in the Caribbean for a summit of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Rubio was meeting regional leaders for closed-door talks on security, economic cooperation and shared concerns about U.S. policies in the hemisphere.
Later Wednesday, he told reporters that the U.S. was not going to base conclusions on "what they've told us," before adding that it would "respond appropriately based on what that information tells us."
"We don't generally make decisions in the United States on the basis of what the Cuban authorities are saying," Rubio clarified.
CUBA’S PRESIDENT DEFIANT, SAYS NO NEGOTIATIONS SCHEDULED AS TRUMP MOVES TO CHOKE OFF OIL LIFELINE
Referring to the details already supplied by Cuba, Rubio said they were "the things we're going to we're going to independently verify."
Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., called for an "immediate investigation" Wednesday in a statement.
"I am calling for an immediate investigation into this massacre. United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred," Gimenez said.
"The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity," he added.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said he agreed with Rep. Carlos Gimenez, writing on X: "We need a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation and to determine what happened. The Communist Cuban regime must be held accountable!"
VENEZUELAN OIL SHIPMENTS SURGE TO US PORTS WITH HEAVY CRUDE AFTER MADURO CAPTURE
Vice President JD Vance also said he was briefed by Rubio regarding the Cuba situation but indicated that details remain limited.
"We don’t know a lot of details," Vance told reporters before adding that the administration is closely monitoring the situation.
"Certainly, you know, it’s a situation that we’re monitoring. Hopefully it’s not as bad as we fear it could be, but I can’t say more because I just don’t know more," Vance said.
Pro-communist social media users have spent much of the past week attacking Cuban-American pop star Camila Cabello after the artist published a statement condemning the Castro regime for the devastating humanitarian crisis her family in her home country are facing.
The post Leftists Hound Pop Star Camila Cabello for Post Highlighting Communist Misery in Her Native Cuba: ‘Disgusting’ appeared first on Breitbart.
A tanker allegedly carrying Russian fuel en route to Cuba is using deceptive "dark fleet" tactics, including signal manipulation and offshore ship-to-ship transfers, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.
According to MarineTraffic, the vessel, called Sea Horse, was located Tuesday on the U.S. East Coast with its signal, noted as "roaming."
The move comes as the U.S. pressured Cuba’s fuel supplies, disrupting deliveries and targeting third-party countries that provide oil, following new sanctions and the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump also signed an executive order declaring a national emergency with respect to Cuba and authorizing tariffs on imports from countries that sell or supply oil there.
Windward reported that the Russian oil tanker initially broadcast Havana as its destination on Feb. 7, and was "Hong Kong-flagged" before quietly changing tack. Windward said the tanker had an expected arrival in Cuba in early March.
US FORCES INTERDICT ANOTHER FUGITIVE TANKER SHIP IN INDIAN OCEAN
The vessel altered its Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal to show it would arrive in the "Caribbean Sea" within two weeks — a vague designation the firm said is often used to hide a ship’s final port of call.
The destination was later switched again to Gibraltar for orders, even after the tanker had already transited the strait, a move Windward described as inconsistent with standard commercial routing.
Windward’s analysis also suggests the vessel loaded its cargo through a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer conducted offshore near Cyprus.
RUSSIAN OIL TANKER ‘THE GRINCH’ INTERCEPTED AS US, ALLIES ESCALATE SANCTIONS CRACKDOWN
During the loading process, the tanker’s AIS signal was temporarily switched off — "a tactic of deceptive maritime operations designed to avoid regulatory scrutiny," Windward said.
Windward data also shows the vessel’s draft increased on Feb. 8, several days after leaving an area used for floating storage and transshipment of Russian middle distillate cargoes originating from Black Sea ports.
The tanker had loitered in that zone for roughly two weeks before departing, Windward said.
"Ship-to-ship transfers outside territorial waters, where port-state oversight is limited, have become a common practice in oil trade to circumvent sanctions and regulatory scrutiny," Windward noted.
'IRREGULAR' ARMED GUARDS ABOARD RUSSIAN SHADOW TANKERS ALARM NORDIC-BALTIC GOVERNMENTS
The company added that AIS manipulation, offshore transfers and ambiguous destination reporting are now standard features of shadow-fleet activity sustaining Russian oil exports despite any U.S. sanctions.
Cuba is also facing an energy crisis that has worsened in recent weeks after oil shipments from Venezuela, its primary supplier, were halted following U.S. action in early January.
Mexico, another major supplier, also suspended oil shipments, according to The Associated Press.
The Reuters news agency reported this weekend, citing 11 different anonymous sources, that the Cuban Communist Party has begun withdrawing its agents in the country, including both "security advisers" and slave doctors from Venezuela.
The post Report: Venezuela Slowly Kicking Cuban Agents Out of Security Posts appeared first on Breitbart.
Far-left President of Colombia Gustavo Petro on Sunday acknowledged that the Ocean Mariner, an oil tanker intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard near Cuban waters this month, had loaded fuel in Colombia.
The post Colombian President Gustavo Petro: Oil Tanker Intercepted near Cuba Fueled Up in Colombia appeared first on Breitbart.
Sandro Castro, grandson of late Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro, published an obscene video on Sunday critical of the piling-up garbage and fuel shortages in Cuba.
The post Fidel Castro’s Influencer Grandson Strokes Empty Fuel Pump in Obscene Instagram Video appeared first on Breitbart.
A Lyft driver accused of sexually assaulting his female passenger during a rideshare to a doctor’s appointment is now apparently being sought by U.S. Immigration officials for deportation as an illegal alien.
The post ICE Levies Retainer Against Cuban Lyft Driver Charged with Sodomizing Woman appeared first on Breitbart.
A hunger-motivated prison riot at the Canaleta maximum security prison in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, left at least seven inmates dead and several injured, the human rights organization Prisoners Defenders denounced on Thursday.
The post Reports: At Least 7 Killed in Ongoing Cuban Prison Riot After Young Man Demanding Food Found Dead appeared first on Breitbart.
Russia will temporarily suspend flights to Cuba after airlines reported difficulties refueling aircraft on the island, aviation authorities said Wednesday.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsia said in a statement posted on Telegram that the airlines Rossiya, part of the Aeroflot Group, and Nordwind were forced to adjust their flight programs due to problems securing fuel in Cuba.
In the coming days, Rossiya will operate several outbound-only flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow to return Russian tourists home before halting service.
After those repatriation flights are completed, the airline’s Cuba program will be suspended until the situation improves, the agency said, calling the decision one made "in the interests of passengers."
US MILITARY SEIZES ANOTHER FUGITIVE OIL TANKER LINKED TO VENEZUELA
The Transport Ministry and Rosaviatsia said they are maintaining close contact with Cuban aviation authorities and are exploring alternative options to restore two-way service.
The announcement comes two weeks after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba and authorized new measures aimed at choking off the island’s oil supplies.
In a Jan. 29 executive order, Trump said Cuba poses an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and empowered his administration to impose tariffs on goods from any country that "directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba."
The order, which took effect Jan. 30, allows additional duties on imports from countries found to be supplying oil to Havana, part of what Trump described as a "zero tolerance" policy toward the Cuban government.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s website shows a Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM, an official alert issued to pilots about hazards or operational disruptions, was posted Feb. 10 for nine Cuban airports warning that Jet A-1 fuel is not available.
The advisory covers Havana (MUHA), Varadero (MUVR), Cienfuegos (MUCF), Santa Clara (MUSC), Camagüey (MUCM), Cayo Coco (MUCC), Holguín (MUHG), Santiago de Cuba (MUCU) and Manzanillo (MUMZ), and remains in effect through March 11.
Nicaragua's government has blocked Cuban citizens from entering the Central American country without a visa in a move that eliminates a route for Cuban migration into the U.S.
For years, Cuban migrants would fly to Nicaragua and meet up with smugglers, who would then help them migrate north through Central America and Mexico to get to the U.S. border, according to The Associated Press.
However, Nicaragua’s government confirmed to the AP that on Sunday it suspended an exemption that allows Cubans to enter Nicaragua without a visa.
Nicaragua’s move comes after President Donald Trump in late January declared a national emergency via an executive order over Cuba, accusing the communist regime there of aligning with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups while moving to punish countries that supply the island nation with oil.
POST-MADURO, PRESSURE BUILDS ON MEXICO OVER CUBA’S NEW OIL LIFELINE
What remains for Cuban migrants is primarily Guyana, a small South American nation where Cubans have also traveled in order to reach the U.S.
From Guyana, migrants normally travel through the perilous jungle trenches of the Darien Gap dividing Colombia and Panama.
In the past, migrants with few other options have also taken precarious boat rides from Cuba to Florida's coast.
SANCTIONED RUSSIAN JET TOUCHES DOWN IN CUBA, ECHOING SECRET FLIGHTS BEFORE MADURO'S OUSTER
In Trump’s executive order, the president said Cuba aligns itself with and provides support for "numerous hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors adverse to the United States," naming Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The administration said Cuba hosts Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility, which the order states attempts to steal sensitive U.S. national security information.
Last November, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Democracy is on trial in the coming Elections in the beautiful country of Honduras on November 30th."
"Will Maduro and his Narcoterrorists take over another country like they have taken over Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela?" he asked.
Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. military operation in early January.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
