Cuban Troops Kill Four Aboard Florida-Registered Speedboat
HAVANA (AP) – Cuban border troops killed four people and wounded six others Wednesday aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters and opened fire on soldiers, Cuban officials said. The incident has prompted a swift response from Washington, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the U.S. is investigating to determine if any of the victims were American citizens or permanent residents.
According to the Cuban Interior Ministry, the shooting occurred approximately one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cuba’s north coast. The ministry released the boat’s registration number, but verification of details has proven difficult as boat registrations in Florida are not publicly accessible.
The circumstances leading to the exchange of fire remain unclear. Cuban officials stated their troops were fired upon first, prompting a response. One Cuban officer sustained injuries in the incident.
“We have various different elements of the U.S. government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now,” Rubio said while speaking to reporters in Basseterre, St. Kitts. He emphasized the U.S. will not rely solely on information provided by Cuban authorities.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and Cuba, fueled by increasing pressure from the Trump administration. Collaboration between the two countries on issues like drug smuggling has diminished in recent years.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed he had been briefed on the situation by Secretary Rubio and stated the White House is monitoring developments.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an investigation, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.” Florida Representative Carlos A. Gimenez also condemned the killings on X, calling for the Cuban government to be “relegated to the dust bin of history!”
Skirmishes between the Cuban Coast Guard and U.S.-flagged vessels in Cuban waters are not uncommon. Historically, these encounters have involved boats suspected of smuggling goods to Cuba or transporting Cubans attempting to reach the United States. However, reports of passengers opening fire or resulting in fatalities have been rare.
The situation remains fluid as investigations continue on both sides of the Florida Straits.
