Four Dead as US-Flagged Speedboat Involved in Gunfight in Cuban Waters

Tensions in the Caribbean region have escalated after Cuban authorities reported a bloody incident involving a speedboat flying the American flag. Four people were killed and six others injured after a shootout with Cuban border guards off the northern coast of the island.

The Cuban Ministry of the Interior stated in an official statement that the incident began when a vessel with registration number Florida, FL7726SH, was detected near Cayo Falcones, Villa Clara province, on Wednesday morning local time.

According to the Cuban government, a patrol boat carrying five border guard members approached the speedboat to conduct identification. However, the situation turned tense when the passengers on the foreign vessel began firing.

“The crew of the violating speedboat opened fire and injured the Cuban commander,” the ministry said in a statement via social media X.

In self-defense, border guard officers returned fire. “As a result of the clash, as of this report, four of the attackers on the foreign vessel were killed and six others were injured,” the ministry added.

The injured were immediately evacuated for medical assistance. As of this writing, the identities of the passengers and the purpose of the vessel’s presence in Cuban waters are still under further investigation.

The incident has drawn strong reactions from several parties in the United States. Florida Representative Carlos Gimenez called the incident a “massacre” and called for a thorough investigation.

“US authorities must determine whether any of the victims are US citizens or legal permanent residents,” Gimenez said via his X account.

The incident occurred amid increasingly strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Cuba is currently facing a severe fuel crisis, which the government says has been exacerbated by the US blockade of oil shipments from Venezuela.

In a statement, the Cuban government reaffirmed its sovereignty over the territory. “In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters and maintain its sovereignty.”

The incident also coincided with a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Saint Kitts and Nevis to meet with Caribbean leaders. The visit is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase pressure on the Cuban government and discuss other regional issues. (BBC/Z-2)