The National Network of Solidarity with Cuba in the United States issued a statement today offering a forceful condemnation of the aggression carried out this morning by a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire on Border Guard troops in the area of Cayo Falcones, Villa Clara province.

In its pronouncement, the solidarity organization stated that this hostile act is a direct consequence of decades of blockade and the maximum pressure policy applied by successive U.S. administrations, policies which, in the organization's view, generate only instability, hostility, and danger throughout the region.

The National Network reaffirmed Cuba's right to defend its sovereignty and called for the immediate cessation of such actions.

Given its significance, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) reproduces below the full text of the declaration issued by the National Network of Solidarity with Cuba in the United States.

Declaration of the National Network of Solidarity with Cuba in the U.S. on the Armed Speedboat Incident at Cayo Falcones, Villa Clara

An armed speedboat registered in Florida entered Cuban waters this morning and opened fire on Cuban Border Guard personnel.

We strongly condemn this act of aggression.

This is what decades of blockade and "maximum pressure" produce: instability, hostility, and danger in our region.

Cuba has the right to defend its sovereignty.

The continued listing of Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the ongoing blockade only escalate tensions and punish ordinary people.

Peace requires normalization, not coercion.

OFFTHELIST

Unblock Cuba. Defend Sovereignty!