Four Killed in Firefight Between Cuban Border Guards and Florida Boat

A deadly confrontation at sea has left four people dead and seven others wounded after Cuban border guards exchanged fire with a civilian speedboat from Florida. The incident occurred in Cuban territorial waters near the island of Falcones Key, Villa Clara province, approximately 160 kilometers from the Florida coast.

According to a statement from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior, border patrol vessels approached the speedboat for identification after it entered Cuban waters. The situation escalated when a passenger on the private vessel opened fire on the patrol boat, wounding its commander. This prompted the border guards to return fire.

The Ministry stated that ten armed individuals were aboard the speedboat, which bore the Florida registration number FL7726SH. Preliminary statements from detainees indicate their intent was to infiltrate Cuban territory for terrorist purposes. Among the seized items from the boat were automatic rifles, pistols, and Molotov cocktails.

Cuban authorities identified the passengers as Cubans residing in the United States. They further noted that two of the surviving passengers had previously been sought by Cuba on terrorism charges.

In response to the incident, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. Embassy in Havana is investigating. "We are going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we will take appropriate measures," Rubio stated.

This violent episode unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and Havana. The United States has recently intensified pressure on Cuba following military operations in Venezuela and has accused Cuban authorities of posing a threat to U.S. National security.

Cuba is currently facing severe shortages due to a U.S.-led blockade on oil supplies, pushing it toward a humanitarian crisis. While nations like Spain and Mexico have pledged food and medical aid, Havana maintains it is ready for unconditional talks with Washington.