Cuban Regime Prosecutes Survivors of Fatal Speedboat Incident for 'Terrorism'

The Cuban government claims the men were plotting 'terrorist acts' against the communist regime.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Cuban communist regime has announced that it is prosecuting six individuals arrested aboard a speedboat that allegedly sought to plot against the regime. The regime claims the men opened fire on Cuban officials, leading to a shootout that resulted in the deaths of four of the men. However, one of the alleged survivors, Cuban anti-communist activist Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, has refuted the regime's claims, stating he was at home in Florida at the time. The U.S. government has also expressed doubts about the veracity of the regime's accusations.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Cuban regime and anti-communist dissidents, as well as the regime's willingness to crack down on perceived threats with harsh measures. The prosecution of the survivors as 'terrorists' raises concerns about the regime's respect for due process and human rights.

The details

According to the Cuban regime, the speedboat was intercepted near the Cuban coast on February 25, and the men on board allegedly opened fire on Cuban officials, leading to a shootout. The regime claims it seized weapons, ammunition, and other equipment from the boat. However, one of the alleged survivors, Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, has denied being on the boat and says he was in Florida at the time. The U.S. government has also expressed doubts about the regime's version of events.

  • The alleged incident occurred on February 25, 2026.
  • The Cuban regime announced the prosecution of the six survivors on March 4, 2026.

The players

Roberto Azcorra Consuegra

A Cuban anti-communist activist who has refuted the regime's claims that he was aboard the speedboat, stating he was in Florida at the time.

Maritza Lugo Fernández

A former political prisoner of the Cuban regime who now resides in Miami. The regime has accused her of being the 'intellectual author' of the alleged 'terrorist' plot.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State, who has expressed doubts about the veracity of the Cuban regime's accusations and stated that the U.S. will independently verify the facts.

Ybey Carballo Pérez

The Chief of Staff of the Cuban Border Guard Troops Directorate, who has claimed that Cuba maintains 'operational cooperation' with the U.S. Coast Guard and provided details of the incident to the U.S. embassy in Havana and within Miami.

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What they’re saying

“We will know quickly many more facts about this incident than we know right now. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State (Breitbart)

“I am the one who accuses them. I accuse them for so many murders, for so many deaths that have occurred within our people.”

— Maritza Lugo Fernández (Univision)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the six defendants out on bail as the prosecution moves forward.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Cuban regime and anti-communist dissidents, as well as the regime's willingness to crack down on perceived threats with harsh measures. The prosecution of the survivors as 'terrorists' raises concerns about the regime's respect for due process and human rights.