Cuba’s interior ministry says border forces killed four Cuban nationals on a U.S.-registered speedboat when its crew opened fire during a patrol off the northern coast.
The clash occurred Wednesday near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province. Guards approached the Florida-flagged vessel FL7726SH for checks, but those aboard shot and wounded the commander, per ministry statements.
Four died and six were injured in the fight. “As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six injured.” Medics treated the wounded; six survivors were detained, plus an 11th confessor.
Recovered items included handguns, rifles, explosives, and gear. The ten—all U.S.-based Cubans with criminal records—planned to “carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed no officials aboard and launched a probe. From Saint Kitts and Nevis, he said, “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 dismissed Cuban accounts. “It is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that. It’s not something that happens everyday.”
Tensions run high amid Cuba’s fuel crisis from U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil. Havana affirmed, “in the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters.” The U.S. eased minor oil deals “to support the Cuban people, for commercial and humanitarian use.”
Florida reacted sharply post-Brothers to the Rescue anniversary. Congressman Carlos Gimenez called it a “massacre.”
Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered review. “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.”
Senator Rick Scott urged, “a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation and to determine what happened,” adding, “the Communist Cuban regime must be held accountable!”
Probes proceed amid strait tensions.