Bloody US-Cuba Firefight at Sea as President Takes a Stand
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Tensions between Cuba and the United States have escalated following Cuban border authorities shooting dead four people described as armed infiltrators in a firefight at sea involving a speedboat registered in Florida. The incident occurred amid deteriorating relations between the two nations over recent months.
The Cuban government stated that the perpetrators attempted to infiltrate from US territory using a speedboat registered in Florida. According to Havana authorities, the vessel opened fire on Cuban border patrol units, triggering a firefight in waters around the infiltration site.
Four people were killed in the incident. Six others were wounded and are now detained by Cuban authorities whilst receiving medical treatment.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel affirmed that his country is prepared to defend itself. In a post on platform X, he wrote that the Caribbean nation would “defend itself with determination and firmness” following the incident, which also wounded six people aboard the vessel.
However, before making this strong statement, Díaz-Canel had previously conveyed a message aimed at de-escalating tensions. “Cuba does not attack or threaten,” he wrote.
Chronology of the Shooting
According to the Cuban government, the suspects arrived from the US wearing camouflage clothing and carrying full weaponry, including assault rifles, pistols, improvised explosives, bulletproof vests, and tactical scopes.
Six survivors are currently being treated at the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial Clinical Surgery Hospital in Santa Clara, approximately 250 kilometres east of Havana. The hospital is reported to be under tight security.
Fernando de Cossio, a senior official at Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the country had repeatedly warned Washington about escalating plans and violent actions against Cuba by individuals and groups operating from US territory.
“Anti-Cuba groups operating in the United States employ terrorism as an expression of their hatred towards Cuba and the impunity they believe they enjoy,” de Cossio said in a written statement cited by Reuters on Friday, 27 February 2026.
He added that two of the detained attackers had previously been included on a list of suspects shared by Cuba with the US government.
United States Response
A US official in Washington previously stated that at least two people aboard the speedboat were US citizens. One was killed and another wounded, who is reported to be receiving medical treatment in Cuba. Other passengers are believed to be US residents.
From the American side, local officials stated that the vessel’s owner claimed the speedboat was stolen by an employee.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that his administration would conduct an independent investigation into the incident. He affirmed that the incident was not a US operation and did not involve American government personnel.
The US Embassy in Havana is reported to be attempting to gain access to the survivors to determine whether any are US citizens or permanent residents.
Whilst blaming the US for allowing anti-Cuba groups to operate without punishment, the Cuban government stated it has been in communication with US authorities since the beginning of the incident. According to Havana, the US side expressed willingness to cooperate in clarifying what actually occurred.
Shadow of Political Tension
The incident has the potential to escalate tensions between Washington and Havana, which have already intensified since the start of the year. Relations between the two nations deteriorated after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Cuba’s principal ally, on 3 January.
The Trump administration also imposed an oil blockade against Cuba in January, tightening economic pressure on the island.
Nevertheless, talks between the two nations are reportedly continuing. Both governments appear to be attempting to de-escalate the situation to prevent it from developing into an open diplomatic crisis.
On Thursday, the Miami Herald reported that US officials met with the grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro at the margins of an annual meeting of Caribbean leaders (Caricom) in St Kitts and Nevis.
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, 41 years old, does not hold an official role in the Cuban government, but is reported to remain close to his grandfather, who still wields considerable influence within the nation’s power structure.
With fatalities on one side and US citizens involved on the other, this naval incident represents a new test for relations between the two nations, which have been characterised by suspicion, embargo, and political tension for several decades.