Cuban authorities say four people were killed and six others wounded after a US-registered speedboat opened fire on the Cuban coast guard in Cuban waters, amid rising tensions between Havana and Washington.
The Cuban Interior Ministry said the incident occurred about one nautical mile from Falcones Cay off Cuba’s northern coast. According to the ministry, the Florida-registered speedboat fired first, injuring the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel.
“As a result of the clash, four aggressors were killed and six others were wounded,” the ministry said, adding that the injured were evacuated and given medical treatment. Cuban authorities said they were acting to protect the country’s territorial waters.
Later, the government said the ten people on board were armed Cuban nationals living in the United States who were attempting to infiltrate the island for what it described as terrorist purposes. Officials said the group was carrying assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and optical equipment.
Cuban authorities also said one additional suspect was detained inside Cuba for allegedly waiting to assist the group.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident was not a U.S. operation and that no U.S. government personnel were involved. He said Washington had been informed by Cuban authorities but the U.S. embassy in Havana would seek to independently verify the events.
“It is highly unusual to see a shootout like this in open waters,” Rubio told reporters.
In Florida, politicians questioned Cuba’s version of events. U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez, a Cuban-born Republican, called for a federal investigation to determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents.
Following his remarks, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office would work with state and federal law enforcement agencies to open an investigation.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he had spoken with Rubio and that the situation was being closely monitored, adding that details remained unclear.
The incident comes at a time of strained U.S.–Cuba relations, with Washington maintaining tight economic pressure on the Communist-run island, including restrictions on oil shipments that have worsened Cuba’s energy crisis.
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