According to the Cuban government, the four people killed when Cuban border guards opened fire on a speedboat registered in the United States were Cuban citizens residing in the US. The incident, which occurred near the northern coast of Cuba on Wednesday, is now under review by both the Havana and US governments as tensions between the two countries escalate.
In a statement released online, Cuba's interior ministry alleged that the passengers aboard the vessel fired first when approached by a coast guard patrol near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province, reported BBC.
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Cuban authorities allege armed confrontation
According to a BBC report, the ministry explained that the speedboat was transporting ten individuals, all of whom were Cuban nationals, who were allegedly armed and intended to infiltrate with the intention of carrying out terrorist acts. Four of the individuals on board were killed during the confrontation, while six others were injured and subsequently detained, said BBC.
The ministry also stated that some of the individuals involved had criminal records. Handguns, assault rifles, improvised explosive devices, and other tactical equipment were seized from the speedboat.
There was also an eleventh suspect who was arrested and is thought to have confessed to the plan.
An earlier statement said the Florida-registered vessel, bearing registration number FL7726SH, was detected Wednesday morning. When Cuban border guards approached for identification, "the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire", injuring a Cuban commander, said BBC.
"As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six injured," the statement said, BBC reported. The injured were evacuated and provided medical treatment.
US launches independent investigation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American authorities are investigating what he described as a "highly unusual" incident. Speaking from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rubio said the vessel was not carrying US government personnel.
"We're going to find out exactly what happened, who was involved, and we'll make a determination on the basis of what we find out," he was quoted as saying by BBC.
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He added that US investigators would move "quickly" and noted that the US Coast Guard had travelled to the "vicinity" of the incident. However, Rubio stressed that Washington would independently verify events rather than rely solely on Cuban accounts.
"It is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that. It's not something that happens everyday," he said.
Political reactions and rising tensions
The episode comes amid strained US-Cuba relations and a worsening fuel crisis on the island. Cuban officials said the country remained determined to protect its territorial waters and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, several Florida lawmakers called for an inquiry. Congressman Carlos Gimenez described the incident as a "massacre", while Senator Rick Scott demanded "a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation and to determine what happened".
