Tension as Cuban Forces shoot four dead aboard U.S. Speedboat
Quick Read
The incident occurred against a backdrop of severely strained U.S.-Cuba relations under the Trump administration, which has intensified economic pressure through measures described by Havana as an "oil siege" contributing to severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and a humanitarian crisis on the island.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Cuban border guard troops killed four individuals and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat after the vessel entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire on approaching officers, according to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior.
The incident occurred Wednesday morning near Cayo Falcones, a barrier island off the north-central coast in Villa Clara province, approximately one nautical mile (1.6 km) northeast of the El Pino channel in Corralillo municipality.
The ministry identified the boat by its Florida registration number FL7726SH and described it as a “violating” vessel that intruded into Cuban waters.
In a detailed statement posted on social media and shared by the Cuban Embassy in the United States, officials said a Border Guard unit with five personnel approached the speedboat for identification purposes.
The crew aboard the vessel allegedly opened fire first, injuring the commander of the Cuban boat.
“As a result of the confrontation, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured,” the ministry reported.
The wounded individuals were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment.
Cuba’s government framed the response as a necessary defense of national sovereignty, stating it “reserves the right to protect its territorial waters” and reaffirming that safeguarding sovereignty is a core pillar of state policy amid regional stability challenges.
The ministry added that investigations continue to clarify the full circumstances.
PM NEWS reports that the clash marks a rare escalation in maritime encounters between Cuban forces and U.S.-flagged vessels.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of severely strained U.S.-Cuba relations under the Trump administration, which has intensified economic pressure through measures described by Havana as an “oil siege” contributing to severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and a humanitarian crisis on the island.
Bilateral cooperation on issues like drug interdiction and migration has largely ceased, heightening risks in the Florida Straits.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans for a state-led investigation, expressing skepticism of the Cuban account and vowing to hold authorities accountable if U.S. citizens were involved.
Comments