Terrorism and National Security

Cuba has formally charged six surviving exiles of Cuban origin with terrorism after a shootout on a Florida‑registered speedboat that killed four people, including at least one U.S. citizen; the suspects remain in pretrial detention and at least one of those arrested is a U.S. citizen, while other occupants included a K‑1 fiancé visa holder and lawful permanent residents. Havana says the terrorism charges carry penalties up to 30 years or death (though a moratorium on executions has been in place since 2003), U.S. authorities were told the boat’s Florida owner reported it stolen by an employee, and relatives and Cuban officials have suggested some aboard intended to overthrow Cuba’s government.