Cuba has foiled a plot to smuggle weapons and ammunition into the Caribbean island from the United States, arresting nearly three dozen people in a broader plan that authorities say was aimed at destabilizing its government, an official at Cuba’s Interior Ministry (Minint) said Monday.
Cuba first revealed details of the plot last December, when authorities said a Cuban resident in the United States arrived on the island on a jet ski, carrying weapons, ammunition and military equipment, to recruit others to commit acts of violence.
An investigation seven months later, said Victor Alvarez, Minint’s chief criminal investigator, revealed a broader plot involving 32 Cuban residents and a U.S.-based group called La Nueva Nación Cubana, which Cuban authorities say continues to plot attacks on the island from U.S. soil.
The Cuban government said it had notified U.S. government agencies of the results of the investigation, but that individuals continue to act with impunity.
“These individuals continue to act with impunity on U.S. soil, organizing, financing and supporting violent activities aimed at subverting the internal order of our country,” said Alvarez.
The US State Department said it was aware of the latest allegations.
“U.S. authorities prosecute individuals based on U.S. laws and do not follow instructions from foreign governments,” a State Department official told Reuters on Monday in an email message.
Cuban authorities provided Reuters what they said was a videotaped confession from Ardenys Garcia, who allegedly entered Cuba by jet ski in November before proceeding to recruit others to join him.
Authorities said Garcia, who is now detained in Cuba, also faces human trafficking charges in the United States.
Cuba has alleged for decades that the United States turns a blind eye to plots by Cuban citizens residing in the neighboring nation to foment unrest on the island and topple its government.
In December, Cuba published a list of foreign citizens and entities — including La Nueva Nación Cubana — that it accuses of being involved in terrorism, including many long-time dissidents residing in the United States.
The list includes dozens of people Cuba says have been implicated in hotel bombings, plots to foment unrest and assassination attempts against Fidel Castro, many dating back decades.
The Cuban list appears to be the island’s response to the United States’ decision to keep Cuba on its own list of state sponsors of terrorisma designation that subjects Cuba to harsh sanctions and considerable economic hardship.
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