4 killed in shooting trying to infiltrate country, Cuba saysAP, HAVANAThe Cuban government late on Wednesday said that the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the US who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring one Cuban officer. One of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova, Cuba’s government said, while three others have not yet been identified. Misael Ortega Casanova, Michel Ortega Casanova’s brother, late on Wednesday said that he was mourning his brother’s death, but lamented that he fell into what he called an “obsessive and diabolical” quest for Cuba’s freedom. “Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand,” Misael Ortega Casanova said, referring to the “great suffering” that he and other Cubans on the island have faced.

Source: Taipei Times February 26, 2026 16:14 UTC