The Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. was targeted in an attack on Sunday night when an individual threw at least one Molotov cocktail at the building. The incident, which occurred in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, has been described by a Cuban official as an act of terrorism. No injuries were reported, and the building sustained no significant damage.
Officials from the Cuban embassy promptly contacted the U.S. Secret Service after the attack, which took place just after 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Secret Service spokesperson, Steven Kopek, confirmed that a possible incendiary device was thrown at the building. However, there was no fire or substantial damage caused by the Molotov cocktail.
Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, stated on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that there were no injuries resulting from the attack. He also claimed that the incident was politically motivated and blamed anti-Cuban groups, accusing them of resorting to terrorism when they feel they can act with impunity. However, no evidence linking the attack to a specific group has been provided.
The investigation into the attack is currently being conducted by the DC Police and the U.S. State Department. As of now, no suspects have been taken into custody.
This is not the first time Cuba’s diplomatic mission has been targeted. In April 2020, an individual fired multiple rounds at the embassy using an AK-47 assault rifle. The shooting resulted in bullet holes in the embassy’s facade and the statue of Cuban writer Jose Martí. Cuba has maintained an embassy in Washington, D.C. since 2015, when diplomatic relations were reestablished between the U.S. and Cuba during the Obama administration.
Despite efforts to normalize relations, tensions between the two countries persist. Cuba has been under a strict U.S. embargo since the 1950s, and previous attempts to improve relations were reversed by former President Donald Trump. The Biden administration has sought to ease some travel and financial restrictions on Cuba but has also criticized the Cuban government during mass protests on the island in 2021 and investigated alleged Chinese spying activities through a Cuban base.
