Cuba Claims US-Linked Terror Plot in Boat Incident

Díaz-Canel says detained individuals confessed to planned operation

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:53pm

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that those detained in connection with a February 25th incident involving a speedboat have confessed to a planned operation, which he characterized as 'an armed infiltration with terrorist aims, financed and organized from U.S. Territory.' Díaz-Canel said Cuba is awaiting a possible visit from the FBI to collaborate on the investigation.

Why it matters

The Cuban government's willingness to allow potential FBI involvement, while framed as cooperation, represents a significant shift given historical tensions and limited access granted to foreign investigators. This move could be a calculated effort to bolster the credibility of its narrative on the international stage.

The details

Díaz-Canel stated that the detained individuals confessed to authorities the plan they allegedly intended to carry out. He presented these confessions as supporting the official account of events. Díaz-Canel also revealed that Cuba anticipates a possible visit from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to collaborate on the investigation into the incident, which resulted in five deaths.

  • The incident in question occurred on February 25th, involving a speedboat.
  • Díaz-Canel made the statements during a televised address on March 13, 2026.

The players

Miguel Díaz-Canel

The President of Cuba, who presented the government's account of the incident and the planned investigation.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The U.S. federal law enforcement agency that Cuba is awaiting a possible visit from to collaborate on the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Information on the events was provided to the U.S. Counterpart, which has expressed interest in jointly clarifying the facts through diplomatic and consular channels. We are awaiting a possible visit from the FBI to further advance this investigation.”

— Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Cuba is awaiting a possible visit from the FBI to collaborate on the investigation into the February 25th incident.

The takeaway

The Cuban government's willingness to allow potential FBI involvement, while framed as cooperation, represents a significant shift given historical tensions and limited access granted to foreign investigators. This move could be a calculated effort to bolster the credibility of its narrative on the international stage.