Cuban officials reported that four individuals on a speedboat registered in Florida were killed when the boat entered Cuban territorial waters on Wednesday, leading to a confrontation with Cuban border guards.
The Cuban Interior Ministry stated that a Cuban border guard commander and six individuals on the U.S. boat were also injured. The ministry alleged that the group on the speedboat had intentions of carrying out an “armed infiltration.”
According to the ministry, all members of the group were “Cuban residents of the United States.” The ministry claimed that the speedboat was carrying 10 armed individuals who had plans to carry out a terrorist infiltration based on preliminary statements from those detained.
The ministry mentioned that various weapons, including assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms, were seized.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. would conduct an independent investigation before responding to the incident.
The Cuban ministry reported that the individuals on the U.S.-registered vessel initiated the firefight, which occurred 1 nautical mile northeast of El Pino channel off Cuba’s north coast.
The ministry claimed that when Cuban border guards approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in injuries to the commander of the Cuban vessel.
The ministry listed the names of the deceased and the six detained individuals, noting that most of them had criminal histories. An additional Cuban national, allegedly sent from the U.S. to assist the group, was arrested in Cuba.
The injured individuals received medical assistance and were evacuated, as stated by the ministry.
Rubio mentioned that the majority of information regarding the incident came from Cuban authorities.
Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have increased due to the Trump administration’s restrictions on oil shipments to Cuba, particularly from Venezuela. Nonetheless, the U.S. announced it would permit some sales to Cuba’s private sector.
Numerous Florida officials have called for an investigation into the altercation. State Attorney General James Uthmeier directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to collaborate with federal, state, and law enforcement agencies to initiate an investigation.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez referred to the confrontation as a “massacre” and emphasized the importance of determining what occurred and whether any U.S. citizens or residents were victims.
Likewise, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz advocated for an investigation and expressed skepticism regarding the Cuban government’s account of events.
She contacted the State Department for further details but noted the incident amidst ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and the Cuban regime.
