HAVANA (Journos News) – Cuba says a Florida-registered speedboat entered its territorial waters and opened fire on soldiers near the island’s north coast, triggering a confrontation that left four people dead and six wounded. The incident, which Havana described as an attempted “armed infiltration,” is now under investigation by both Cuban and U.S. authorities.
The episode unfolded roughly one mile (1.6 kilometers) northeast of Cayo Falcones, according to Cuba’s Interior Ministry. While such maritime encounters are not unprecedented, officials on both sides acknowledged that an exchange of gunfire resulting in fatalities is highly unusual in recent years, adding a new layer of strain to already tense bilateral ties.
Cuba’s government said the 10 people aboard the vessel were Cuban nationals residing in the United States. It alleged they were armed and had sought to “unleash terrorism” on the island. Authorities reported that one Cuban officer was injured after the boat’s occupants fired first, prompting soldiers to return fire.
Four of those on board were killed, the government said, and six were wounded. Havana identified one of the dead as Michel Ortega Casanova. Among those named as passengers were Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, whom Cuban authorities described as wanted in connection with alleged terrorist-related activities.
The Interior Ministry said seven of the 10 passengers had been identified, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Three individuals had not yet been publicly identified.
Cuban officials also said they arrested Duniel Hernández Santos, alleging he had been sent from the United States to facilitate the group’s arrival and had confessed to involvement. The Associated Press reported it was unable to independently verify those claims, and Cuban authorities have not released further evidence publicly.
U.S. officials seek independent verification
In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. agencies were working to determine whether any of the individuals involved were American citizens or lawful permanent residents. Speaking while attending a regional summit in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Rubio said the United States would not rely solely on information provided by Havana.
“We’re going to have our own information on this,” Rubio told reporters, adding that the Departments of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard were gathering details. He declined to speculate about the ownership of the boat or the motives of those on board, describing the circumstances as unclear.
Rubio characterized open-sea shootouts of this nature as rare in the current era of U.S.–Cuba relations. He stressed that it was not a U.S. government operation and said officials would respond once the facts were verified.
Vice President JD Vance said he had been briefed and that the White House was monitoring developments. He expressed hope that the situation would prove less severe than initial reports suggested.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he had directed state prosecutors to coordinate with federal and local law enforcement agencies to review the matter. In a social media post, he criticized the Cuban government and pledged accountability, though details of any state-level inquiry were not immediately available.
Location and unanswered questions
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said the confrontation took place near Cayo Falcones, off the island’s northern coastline. Authorities provided the vessel’s Florida registration number, but boat registrations are not publicly accessible in that state, limiting independent confirmation of ownership details.
It remains unclear what the boat was doing in Cuban waters or whether it had departed directly from Florida. Cuban officials framed the incident as an attempt to violate national sovereignty, stating that the country would continue “safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region.”
Maritime tensions between Cuba and U.S.-flagged vessels have occurred intermittently over the years, particularly involving suspected smuggling operations or unauthorized attempts to transport people between the island and Florida. However, there have been no recent widely reported cases involving a fatal exchange of gunfire.
Broader political backdrop
The shooting comes at a time of heightened diplomatic friction between Havana and Washington. Relations have fluctuated for decades, shaped by sanctions, migration disputes and security concerns. In recent months, the administration of President Donald Trump has taken a more confrontational stance toward Cuba, including tightening economic measures.
One recent policy move included an executive order imposing tariffs on countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, increasing pressure on energy trade partners and compounding the island’s ongoing energy crisis. Cuban authorities have criticized such measures as economic coercion.
Against that backdrop, any violent cross-border episode risks amplifying political rhetoric on both sides. Analysts note that maritime incidents have historically carried symbolic weight in U.S.–Cuba relations, particularly given the proximity of the two countries and longstanding migration routes across the Florida Straits.
Investigation ongoing
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said its investigation was continuing “until the facts are fully clarified.” No additional details were provided about weapons allegedly recovered or forensic findings from the scene.
U.S. officials have emphasized that they are still assembling their own account of events. Rubio said Washington maintains “constant contact” with Cuban counterparts at the Coast Guard level, suggesting some operational communication channels remain active despite broader political tensions.
For now, many core questions remain unresolved: who organized the voyage, what the group’s intentions were, and whether the incident will have diplomatic consequences. With both governments conducting parallel inquiries, further details are likely to emerge in the coming days.
Source: AP News – Cuba says boat from Florida opened fire at its soldiers, starting fight that killed 4
