Cuba has released photographs of the numerous weapons, ammunition, and tactical gear confiscated from the gunmen who recently attempted what it has called an“armed infiltration for terrorist purposes”off the island nation’s coast.
28 Feb, 2026 16:54 HomeWorld News Cuba showcases weapons seized from ‘armed infiltration’ (PHOTOS) Ten gunmen on a US-flagged speedboat lost a deadly gunfight with Cuban border guards
Ten gunmen aboard a Florida-registered speedboat attempted to enter Cuban territorial waters on Wednesday morning, the Cuban Embassy in the US said in a statement on Saturday.
They allegedly fired on a patrol vessel during an attempted interception, wounding the captain.
The Cuban boat, manned by five people, returned fire, killing three gunmen and injuring the others, according to the statement.
The authorities seized a number of weapons, 134 magazines and a total of 12,846 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, the embassy said. They also allegedly captured a drone, a portable generator and ten communications devices.
Each of the gunmen also had a prepared individual kit, which included a rifle, pistol, knife, camouflage uniform, balaclava, helmet, medkit and“other attachments,”Cuban news outlet Cubadebate reported on Saturday.
Photographs of the seized equipment released by the Cuban Embassy in the US show a number of AR-15 rifles and other weapons, as well as Molotov cocktails. Some of the helmets appear to be equipped with night or thermal vision.
Investigators have determined that two boats had originally departed Florida, Cubadebate cited Colonel Victor Alvarez Valle, one of the heads of Criminal Investigation for State Security at the Interior Ministry, as saying.
“One ran into technical difficulties on the way and the occupants moved to the other, which is why they finally arrived in a single boat,”he reportedly said.
One of the gunmen was identified as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, who was previously flagged by the Cuban authorities as“linked to terrorist activities,”Cubadebate cited Valle as saying. \
The investigation indicates that the mastermind behind the incident is US-resident Maritza Lugo Fernandez, a member of the November 30th anti-Castro insurgency, he stated.
Cuba revealed new details about the attempted armed infiltration for terrorist purposes
The Cuban response to the incident strictly adhered to the regulatory framework, based on different levels of force measures against an offending target: first it is identified, then pursued, accompanied and persuaded. Firearms are only used when we are attacked. The naval target was detected at 7:10 a.m. using the technical resources of the Border Guard Troops, 3.7 nautical miles within territorial waters.
The military commander noted that people were seen in the water, who, upon noticing the presence of the Cuban unit, re-embarked and headed west. The Cuba unit was 185 meters away when attacked with gunfire. The Cuban weapons consisted of three AKM rifles and one RPK light machine gun.
The technical expert analysis revealed 13 bullet impacts on the Cuban vessel, located on the starboard side, on the hull and on the railings. As a result, the commander, Captain Yosmany Hernández Hernández, was wounded in the abdomen and forearm. He is recovering well and is out of danger.
In response to the attack, the Cuban crew—comprised of five combatants—returned fire. In the exchange, three of the ten occupants of the offending vessel were killed, and seven were wounded
After the vessel was neutralized, the wounded were evacuated and taken to hospitals.
The criminal investigation determined that not one, but two boats departed from Marathon Key, Florida. One experienced technical difficulties en route, and the occupants transferred to the other, which is why they ultimately arrived in a single boat.
The boat, which had come from the United States and was equipped with an outboard motor, had 21 bullet holes. It was equipped with GPS and radio navigation equipment.
Authorities seized 134 magazines and a total of 12,846 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, including 5.56x45 mm and 7.62 mm (AKM). One of the seized pistols was capable of penetrating bulletproof vests. They also confiscated a drone with two cameras, ten communication devices, tactical knives, a portable generator, bolt cutters, and identifying emblems, including those of the so-called November 30th counterrevolutionary movement and insignia of the "People's Self-Defense."
The seized rifles have an effective range of up to 800 meters and were in perfect technical condition.
Amijail Sánchez González has been identified as one of the organizers and previously included on the national list of individuals linked to terrorist activities. The investigation points to Maritza Lugo Fernández, a resident of the United States and identified as the main promoter of the so-called November 30th movement, as the mastermind behind the attack.
The detainees, with a proposed precautionary measure, face charges for armed assault, illegal entry into the national territory and crimes associated with terrorist acts, violence and illicit arms trafficking.
Due process has been respected and the case file has been formally received by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Since the events were financed from abroad, those involved outside the country could also face charges of financing terrorism.
Based on the information presented, US legal provisions regarding navigation and the carrying of firearms were also violated.
Injured detainees receive medical attention with all necessary resources. It is an ethical practice of our institutions to provide assistance without discrimination.
Cuba maintains operational cooperation with the United States Coast Guard on immigration matters, combating drug trafficking, and search and rescue. There was an exchange of information almost in real time with the liaison at the U.S. Embassy and authorities in Miami, to whom details of the incident were provided.
Source: Cubadebate
Jorge Cruz Fraga
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February 26, 2026
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Cuba revealed new details about the attempted armed infiltration for terrorist purposes
The Cuban response to the incident strictly adhered to the regulatory framework, based on different levels of force measures against an offending target: first it is identified, then pursued, accompanied and persuaded. Firearms are only used when we are attacked.
The naval target was detected at 7:10 a.m. using the technical resources of the Border Guard Troops, 3.7 nautical miles within territorial waters.
The military commander noted that people were seen in the water, who, upon noticing the presence of the Cuban unit, re-embarked and headed west. The Cuba unit was 185 meters away when attacked with gunfire. The Cuban weapons consisted of three AKM rifles and one RPK light machine gun.
The technical expert analysis revealed 13 bullet impacts on the Cuban vessel, located on the starboard side, on the hull and on the railings. As a result, the commander, Captain Yosmany Hernández Hernández, was wounded in the abdomen and forearm. He is recovering well and is out of danger.
In response to the attack, the Cuban crew—comprised of five combatants—returned fire. In the exchange, three of the ten occupants of the offending vessel were killed, and seven were wounded
After the vessel was neutralized, the wounded were evacuated and taken to hospitals.
The criminal investigation determined that not one, but two boats departed from Marathon Key, Florida. One experienced technical difficulties en route, and the occupants transferred to the other, which is why they ultimately arrived in a single boat.
The boat, which had come from the United States and was equipped with an outboard motor, had 21 bullet holes. It was equipped with GPS and radio navigation equipment.
Authorities seized 134 magazines and a total of 12,846 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, including 5.56x45 mm and 7.62 mm (AKM). One of the seized pistols was capable of penetrating bulletproof vests. They also confiscated a drone with two cameras, ten communication devices, tactical knives, a portable generator, bolt cutters, and identifying emblems, including those of the so-called November 30th counterrevolutionary movement and insignia of the "People's Self-Defense."
The seized rifles have an effective range of up to 800 meters and were in perfect technical condition.
Amijail Sánchez González has been identified as one of the organizers and previously included on the national list of individuals linked to terrorist activities. The investigation points to Maritza Lugo Fernández, a resident of the United States and identified as the main promoter of the so-called November 30th movement, as the mastermind behind the attack.
Jorge Cruz Fraga
