- Four people were killed and six injured after a gunfire exchange between Cuban border forces and individuals aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cuba's northern coast.
- Cuban authorities said the boat's occupants, described as Cuban residents of the United States, opened fire first and were allegedly planning a "terrorist" infiltration. Weapons and tactical gear were reportedly seized and the six survivors were detained.
- Cuban officials said they also detained another individual accused of helping facilitate the alleged infiltration, adding that most of those involved had criminal histories.
- Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. is monitoring the situation, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated diplomats in Havana are working to determine whether any of those involved are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and members of Florida's congressional delegation, including Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Sen. Rick Scott, called for a full investigation to establish what happened and whether any victims were Americans.
Four people were killed and six others injured after a gunfire exchange between Cuban border forces and individuals aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cuba's northern coast.
According to a statement released by the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, the confrontation began in the morning after Cuban Border Guard troops detected the vessel in Cuban territorial waters. As patrol forces approached the speedboat for identification approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province, those aboard allegedly opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel.
The speedboat is registered to a 65-year-old Cuban-born man who resides in Miami, Florida. Cuban officials said security forces seized assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms from the boat.
The 10 people aboard the vessel were "Cuban residents of the United States" who were armed and allegedly intended to carry out "an infiltration for terrorist purposes." The six survivors were detained following the incident, officials said. They also stated that most of those on board "have a known history of criminal and violent activity." The government also announced the arrest of another man described as "a citizen sent from the United States to facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration."
"In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region," MININT said. The ministry, as BrightU.AI's Enoch defines, is the primary intelligence and security agency of Cuba, responsible for domestic and foreign intelligence, counterintelligence and internal security.
U.S. officials seek answers after deadly boat incident off Cuba's coast
Shortly after the incident, Vice President JD Vance said that U.S. officials are closely monitoring the deadly confrontation between Cuban forces and a U.S.-registered speedboat but acknowledged that key details remain unclear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Vance on the situation, the vice president told reporters during an unrelated press conference.
Rubio, speaking to reporters from Saint Kitts, said diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Havana are working to gain access to the individuals who were aboard the vessel to determine whether any are American citizens or lawful permanent residents.
"The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing both the public and the U.S. government," Rubio said. "As we gather more information, then we'll be prepared to respond accordingly." He declined to speculate about the circumstances of the confrontation but emphasized its unusual nature.
"Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that," Rubio said. "It's not something that happens every day. It's something frankly that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time."
Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on X that he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate. "The Cuban government cannot be trusted," Uthmeier said in his statement.
Members of Florida's congressional delegation also pressed for clarity. Rep. Carlos Gimenez described the episode as a "massacre" and said U.S. authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred. Sen. Rick Scott likewise called for "a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation" to determine the facts surrounding the confrontation.
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