Cuba first disclosed details of a significant plot last December, revealing that a Cuban man living in the United States had arrived on the island by jetski, armed with guns, ammunition, and military gear, to recruit others and carry out acts of violence.
After a seven-month investigation, Víctor Álvarez, a lead criminal investigator with Cuba’s Interior Ministry, announced that the plot involved 32 Cuban residents and a U.S.-based group called La Nueva Nación Cubana, which Cuban authorities claim continues to plan attacks on Cuba from U.S. soil.
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Cuba stated that it had informed U.S. government agencies of the investigation’s findings but asserted that the individuals involved continue to operate without consequences.
“These individuals continue to act with impunity in North American territory, organizing, financing, and supporting violent activities to subvert the internal order of our country,” Álvarez said.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged the latest allegations. “U.S. law enforcement prosecutes individuals based on U.S. law and does not take direction from foreign governments,” a State Department official told Reuters via email on Monday.
Cuban authorities provided Reuters with what they claimed was a videotaped confession from Ardenys García, who allegedly entered Cuba by jetski in November before recruiting others. García, now detained in Cuba, also faces human trafficking charges in the United States.
For decades, Cuba has alleged that the United States turns a blind eye to plots by Cuban nationals in the U.S. to foment unrest and destabilize its government. In December, Cuba published a list of foreign nationals and entities, including La Nueva Nación Cubana, accusing them of terrorism. The list features many long-time dissidents living in the U.S. and includes individuals implicated in hotel bombings, unrest plots, and assassination attempts against Fidel Castro, many of which date back decades.
The publication of this list appears to be Cuba’s response to the U.S. decision to keep Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that subjects Cuba to severe sanctions and significant economic hardship.
