Cuba announces fifth death after shootout with Florida-tagged speedboat

"The government of Cuba has announced that a fifth person died as a consequence of a fatal shootout last month involving a Florida-flagged speedboat that allegedly opened fire on soldiers off the island nation's north coast. The island's Ministry of Interior said late on Thursday in a statement that Roberto Alvarez Avila died on March 4 as a result of his injuries."

"On February 26, authorities in Cuba said that Cuban soldiers confronted a speedboat carrying 10 people as the vessel approached the island and opened fire on the troops. They said the passengers were armed Cubans living in the United States who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others."

"The government also unveiled items it claimed to have found on the boat, including a dozen high-powered weapons, more than 12,800 pieces of ammunition and 11 pistols. Cuban authorities have provided few details about the shooting, but they said the boat was roughly 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) northeast of Cayo Falcones, off the country's north coast."

Cuban authorities reported that Roberto Alvarez Avila died on March 4 from injuries sustained during a February 26 confrontation between Cuban soldiers and a Florida-flagged speedboat carrying 10 people. The government claims the passengers were armed Cubans living in the United States attempting to infiltrate the island and conduct terrorist operations. Cuban soldiers killed four people and wounded six others during the shootout. Six suspects have been charged with terrorism. Authorities claim to have recovered high-powered weapons, ammunition, and pistols from the vessel. The remaining injured detainees receive specialized medical care. Cuban officials state that detainee statements and investigative procedures support charges against them, with evidence suggesting involvement of additional individuals based in the US.

Read at www.aljazeera.com