Cuban Exiles Raid Havana From Sea

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29911, 27 August 1962, Page 9

Cuban Exiles Raid Havana From Sea

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) HAVANA, August 25. The waterfront of the Cuban capital of Havana was sprayed by 20 m.m. gunfire from two vessels last night. Both got away.

The United States denied being involved in the raid a few hours after Dr. Fidel Castro had declared that his regime held the United States Government responsible for “this new and cowardly attack on our country.”

In Miami, a Cuban exile group issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, Reuters reported. The group said two vessels mounting “more than 40 cannon” destroyed the hotel where technicians from the Soviet Union and other Communist countries live. The statement said the attack was the signal for a stepping-up of guerrilla activity in the Escambray Mountains. Dr Castro said “armed ships” sprayed the Havana waterfront. The Government, he said had taken the necessary steps to meet the danger of a direct United States attack. He said the ships lay about half a mile offshore and shot at buildings in First street, in Miramar. No mention was made of casualties or damage.

The statement said the ships escaped under cover of darkness.

The surprise attack, which lasted seven minutes, began at 11.30 p.m. local time. Police and troops cordoned off the beachfront area immediately afterwards. Cuban militiamen opened fire on the blurred objects at sea but anti-aircraft batteries were unable to spot the attackers in the darkness and did not open fire Boats Impounded

The United States has impounded the two boats in Miami on orders of the State Department. In Miami the leader of the Cuban exile group, Juan Manual Salvat. said the United States Government and people were not involved. Only 23 persons took part in the raid. Salvat said: “We did it as Cubans freedom for our homeland We did it to show democratic republics the world over that we mean business

“I feel that if the Communists in Cuba are entitled to the support of the Soviet Union, the Cuban democratic movement, too. is entitled to the support of the democratic renublics of the world.” Salvat said 23 men. includ-

ing himself, ranging in age from 19 to 23, had used a 31ft cabin cruiser and a P.T. boat in the attack.

“One boat carried eight men with a 20 m m. cannon and some automatic rifles. The other boat carried 15 men with six M-l carbines and three Browning automatic rifles.” he said

“We moved quietly in the dark. The smaller boat moved within 200 yards of the coast. The P.T. boat stood farther away with its 15 men ready for action."

At first the attackers encountered no opposition. “However, when we started back, a Cuban vessel followed us.” said Salvat. “It seemed as if some other vessels were trying to form a circle around us. but it was really too dark to tell.”