US citizen killed by Cuban coast guard identified as Florida truck driver

A US citizen and Florida-based truck driver killed in a shootout with Cuba’s coast guard has been identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, one of 10 Cuban nationals accused of taking a Florida-registered speedboat loaded with weapons and ammunition toward Cuba. Authorities in Havana claimed the operation was an attempt to infiltrate the country for “terrorist ends.”

Casanova’s brother, Misael Ortega, told the Associated Press that Michel was on an “obsessive and diabolical quest” for Cuba’s freedom. He added that the obsession meant Casanova and the three others who were killed didn’t think “about the consequences.”

Misael told the outlet, “My mother is devastated,” after the family was shocked by the news and completely unaware of the plan underway. He told US-based Martí Noticias, “He always called me on Sundays. When I tried to contact him, and he didn’t answer, I found it strange.” Casanova, who lived in the US for over 20 years, and became a citizen is survived by his mother, two sisters, one of whom still lives in Cuba, and a pregnant daughter.

Cuban officials said several people were arrested aboard the vessel following the gun battle. Authorities identified two suspects, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, as wanted in connection with alleged terrorist-related activity, and they were among six people injured during the shootout. The other injured individuals named by Cuban officials were Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.

Azcorra Consuegra called NBC Miami to deny any involvement, despite being listed by Cuban authorities as injured and arrested following the incident. The three additional suspects detained during the operation were not identified.