Category Archives: Terrorism against Cuba

Terrorism against Cuba

Preventing and Confronting Terrorism

Determination in Preventing and Confronting Terrorism

Cuba, as a victim of terrorist acts, and in accordance with the policy established by the Revolution, has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing and C

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

Cuba
This arsenal of weapons, intended for use in terrorist attacks in the country, was seized a few weeks ago. Photo: José Manuel Correa

For more than six decades, Cuba has suffered the consequences of terrorist acts, generally organized and financed from the United States. Among the numerous criminal acts of this nature are the explosion of the steamship La Coubre, the fire at the El Encanto department store and the Le Van Tan daycare center, several machine-gun attacks and hijackings of fishing boats, bombings of Cuban hotels, and the bombing of a Cubana de Aviación airliner, which killed 73 people.

In most cases, despite providing public information and evidence regarding the organizers and sponsors residing outside of Cuba, impunity has prevailed in the responses to our country.

The United Nations has adopted some twenty legal instruments aimed at preventing terrorist acts, punishing their perpetrators and masterminds, and strengthening international legal cooperation, most of which have been signed and ratified by Cuba.

Article 8 of the Constitution establishes that “The provisions of international treaties in force for the Republic of Cuba form part of, or are integrated into, as appropriate, the national legal system.” Given the priority that the Cuban State and society place on the prevention of and fight against terrorism, the principles and recommendations of international treaties have been incorporated into Cuban legislation.

The country designed and implemented the Comprehensive National Strategy against Terrorism, which establishes, among other aspects, the strategic guidelines, the action plan for its prevention and fight, and Cuba’s cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Criminal law has also been amended for this same purpose.

CRIMINAL CODE

The Criminal Code, approved in 2022, amended Law 93 of 2001 and regulated terrorism offenses, maintaining and reinforcing the severe penalties established in the Law against Acts of Terrorism. For these offenses, the law provides for penalties of temporary imprisonment for ten to thirty years; life imprisonment; and the death penalty for the most serious forms.

It defines as terrorist acts those which, by the form of execution, means and methods employed, demonstrate the purpose of intimidating or forcing a government, or an international organization, to perform an act or refrain from performing it or, likewise, to provoke states of alarm, fear or terror in the population.

In accordance with international conventions signed by the Cuban State, it regulates other forms of terrorism, such as: Hostage-taking; Acts against internationally protected persons; Acts against the safety of maritime navigation, civil aviation and airports; Against the safety of fixed platforms located on the continental or insular shelf; Against the use of computer means and techniques.

A specific analysis in the current circumstances requires examining the crime of financing terrorism, which has been used by terrorist organizations based abroad. The Code punishes anyone who collects, transports, provides, or possesses funds or financial or material resources with the purpose of using them in any of the aforementioned crimes.

To determine the appropriate sentence in these cases, the Penal Code establishes specific rules, such as the court’s power to stipulate in the sentence that the convicted person must serve two-thirds or more of the imposed prison term before being considered for parole in terrorism-related offenses.

Regarding the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution, it stipulates that it does not apply to crimes punishable by death, life imprisonment, crimes against humanity, or those crimes defined in international treaties in force for the country. The automatic expungement of criminal records does not apply to those convicted of terrorism offenses.

The financing, organization, and execution of terrorist acts against Cuba continue to this day, given the country’s current circumstances.

In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, Cuba prepared and published the National List of Persons and Entities that have been subject to criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities. This list was updated in Resolution 13 of 2025, published in Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 34, on July 9 of that year. It names 62 individuals and 20 criminal entities or organizations based in the United States that promote, organize, finance, and incite terrorist acts against Cuba.

Cuba, as a victim of terrorist acts, and in accordance with the policy established by the Revolution, has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing and confronting terrorism in all its forms, including state terrorism. In this regard, there will be no impunity for those involved in these criminal acts.

*Chief Prosecutor of the Department of the Directorate for Combating and Preventing Corruption and Illegal Activities

Terrorism against Cuba

Investigation into foiled terrorist infiltration attempt

Investigation into foiled terrorist infiltration attempt moves forward. U.S. authorities express willingness to cooperate

In compliance with current Cuban law, forensic and investigative actions are moving forward that will allow for full clarification of the facts, as well as the involvement of each of the perpetrators

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

In compliance with the legal provisions in force in Cuba, forensic and investigative actions are progressing that will allow for the full clarification of the facts, as well as the implication of each of the perpetrators.
The statements made by the detainees themselves, together with a series of investigative procedures, reinforce the evidence against them, while new elements are being obtained that establish the involvement of other individuals based in the United States.
From the outset, the Cuban authorities have maintained timely communication with their U.S. counterparts. On March 2nd, 2026, U.S. authorities conveyed through diplomatic channels their willingness to cooperate fully in the investigation. Cooperation could include the exchange of information and evidence, as well as other joint actions.
Given the seriousness of the events and the threat that terrorism poses not only to Cuba, the national authorities, consistent with their historical position on this issue, consider it their duty to cooperate reciprocally in confronting this dangerous scourge for all humanity.
The injured detainees continue to receive specialized medical care according to their health status and the severity of their injuries. In the case of Roberto Álvarez Ávila, he died on March 4th as a result of his injuries.
The public will be kept informed as the investigation progresses.

Ministry of the Interior, March 5, 2026

Terrorism against Cuba

“Cuba has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters”

“Cuba has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters”

Statements by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

Photo: Dunia Álvarez

Cuba reaffirmed yesterday, through Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, its absolute and categorical commitment against terrorist acts, methods, and practices in all their forms and manifestations.
“Our country maintains an exemplary record in the fight against terrorism, and has fulfilled and will continue to honor the commitments it has made in this area,” he emphasized, while also stressing that Cuba is a party to the 19 international conventions related to terrorism, in accordance with which it has implemented legal and institutional measures aimed at its effective combat.
In a statement to the press, he maintained that “Cuba has the duty and responsibility to protect its territorial waters.” And it does so in accordance with International Law, which applies to all countries, including the United States itself, he said. “It is also part of the national defense of the Cuban State, as an indispensable pillar for the protection of our sovereignty, life, security and well-being of Cubans.”
In a context where the island denounced the attempted infiltration of the Cuban Navy on Wednesday by ten individuals aboard a vessel registered in the state of Florida, for terrorist purposes, Fernández de Cossío reported that, once the origin of the vessel was detected, Cuban authorities have been in communication with their counterparts in the United States, including the State Department and the Coast Guard.
He also announced that an investigation is underway to thoroughly clarify what happened. “The Cuban government is willing to exchange information with the U.S. government regarding this incident,” he stated. “Among other requests, we will ask for information about those involved, the vessel used, and other details, through the existing mechanisms between the two countries. U.S. government authorities have expressed their willingness to cooperate,” he emphasized.
As part of the preliminary information, the Vice Minister cited the following ten individuals as being involved in the incident: Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Conrado Galindo Serrior, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Leordán Cruz Gómez, Amijail Sánchez González, Roberto Álvarez Ávila, Pavel Alling Peña, Michael Ortega Casanova, Ledián Padrón Guevara, and Héctor Duani Cruz Correa. The last four were killed during the attack.
He noted that Rolando Roberto Ascorra Consuegra was initially mentioned due to an error in identification, as he is not part of the group, “although he is a person known for his history of involvement in violent actions and intentions against Cuba.”
About the weapons occupied in the vessel he detailed that assault and sniper rifles were found; pistols; Molotov cocktails; multiple assault equipment, including night vision devices, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibers, food for use in combat, the media and a large group of monograms from counter-revolutionary organizations with terrorist orientation.
“This is not an isolated incident,” stated Fernández de Cossío. “Cuba has been the victim of aggression and countless terrorist acts for more than 60 years, most of them organized, financed, and carried out from U.S. territory.”
In this regard, he noted that, in recent years, the island has denounced the increase in violent and terrorist plots and actions against it, as well as the prevailing sense of impunity among the organizers and perpetrators.
The Caribbean nation has regularly provided the U.S. government with information on individuals who have promoted, financed, and organized violent and terrorist acts against the world. This includes the National List of individuals and entities that have been subject to criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities, compiled in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, the norms and principles of international law, and Cuban law.
Specifically, two of the perpetrators, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, are included on that list, which is shared with the U.S. for the years 2023 and 2025. “The Cuban government is still awaiting responses to its requests regarding them and the other individuals and organizations included on the issued list. Anti-Cuban groups operating in the United States resort to terrorism as an expression of their hatred for Cuba and the impunity they believe they enjoy,” he stated.

Photo: Dunia Álvarez
Photo: Dunia Álvarez

 

Terrorism against Cuba

China urges the USA to lift the blockade and remove Cuba from list of sponsors of terrorism the listof

China urges the United States to lift the blockade and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Washington to end the blockade of Cuba immediately and remove the Caribbean nation from the list

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

july 3, 2025 07:07:53

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Courtesy of MFA

BEIJING-. China called for the immediate lifting of the blockade and sanctions imposed on Cuba by the United States (U.S.), as well as for the Island to be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which was drawn up unilaterally by U.S. government.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Asian giant’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that over the past 60 years, the U.S. “has imposed a brutal blockade and illegal sanctions on Cuba, seriously violating its right to survival and development, violating the basic norms of international relations, and causing serious disasters for the Cuban people.”
The statements were made in response to a question about President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum approving new measures against the Caribbean nation.
The spokesperson reiterated that China “firmly supports Cuba in its search for a path of development that suits its national conditions” and expressed its rejection of Washington’s use of unilateral sanctions “under the pretext of supposed ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy.’”
Mao emphasized that lifting the blockade and removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism is also the demand of the international community.
On Tuesday, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX, for its Spanish acronym) issued a statement rejecting U.S. Presidential Memorandum that tightens the economic blockade against the Island.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry’s message explained that the document, released by U.S. government on June 30, “consists of a reissue and amendment of Presidential National Security Memorandum No. 5,” issued by the US on June 16, 2017, during Trump’s first term.
“Cuba categorically denounces and rejects both versions of the infamous document,” the MINREX statement said.

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