A technical team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrived in Havana, Cuba, to initiate an “independent investigation” into a deadly shootout between local border patrol officers and a speedboat tagged from Florida. The U.S. embassy announced the FBI agents’ arrival on Wednesday, following pressure from officials to examine the incident, which highlights ongoing friction between the two nations.
According to Cuban authorities, on the night of February 25, 10 Cuban nationals attempted to enter Cuba by speedboat, armed with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles, and 11 pistols. Five were killed in the ensuing shootout, while the others were wounded and taken into custody, where they received medical attention. The Cuban government stated that the assailants were Cuban exiles who came from the U.S. with the intent to sow chaos and attack military units, raising questions about cross-border security challenges.
The U.S. embassy said in a statement that the FBI trip to Cuba was part of a “thorough and independent investigation” into the incident. An embassy official told Reuters that the U.S. would verify Havana’s version of events: “Consistent with U.S. policy, we do not make decisions in the United States on the basis of what Cuban authorities are saying. We will independently verify the facts and make decisions based solely on U.S. interest, U.S. law, and the protection of U.S. citizens.” This stance underscores the deep-seated mistrust and geopolitical tensions that have plagued bilateral relations.
Tensions between the two countries have soared since January, when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a virtual oil blockade on the island after the abduction and imprisonment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a crucial Cuban benefactor, on January 3. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the speedboat incursion was not a U.S. operation and that no U.S. government personnel were involved, but such assertions do little to alleviate the broader climate of suspicion and instability in the region.
Source: www.aljazeera.com