HAVANA (Journos News) – Cuba said Thursday it is actively communicating with U.S. officials following a deadly confrontation involving a Florida-registered boat in Cuban waters. The incident, which left at least one American dead and several others wounded, has drawn attention amid longstanding tensions between the two nations.
Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, stated the government is ready to exchange information with U.S. authorities, while also seeking details about the suspects and the means used to organize the trip. He said the U.S. has expressed willingness to cooperate in clarifying the facts surrounding the shooting.
The confrontation occurred Wednesday morning when Cuban troops responded to gunfire from a speedboat carrying 10 armed individuals from the United States off Cuba’s north coast. According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, four of the suspected assailants were killed, six were injured, and one Cuban official sustained minor injuries.
U.S. Citizens Among Those Involved
A U.S. official confirmed that at least one American was killed and another wounded, with some crew members reportedly holding visas or green cards. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, said authorities are examining the identities and backgrounds of all 10 individuals aboard the vessel.
Authorities in the United States also reported that the 1981 Pro Line speedboat had been stolen from the Florida Keys. The owner, who resides in Miami-Dade County but keeps the vessel at a property in Big Pine Key, said he had not seen the boat docked at the location for more than a week and alleged that an employee was responsible for the theft.
Cuba Provides Preliminary Details
Cuba released the names of the alleged suspects, accusing them of planning to invade the island and carry out terrorist acts. Officials said the boat contained assault and sniper rifles, pistols, bayonets, night-vision equipment, camouflage clothing, combat rations, communications gear, and symbols linked to counterrevolutionary groups.
“These details are still preliminary,” Fernández de Cossío noted. “More information will be provided in the coming days.” He added that Cuban authorities have previously supplied the U.S. with information on individuals suspected of promoting or financing acts against Cuba, with two passengers on the boat reportedly included in that list.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday evening that the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard are investigating the incident. “The majority of the facts being publicly reported come from information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently and respond accordingly,” Rubio said.
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Public Reactions in Havana
The shooting drew strong reactions across Havana. Some residents expressed disbelief over the alleged attempt to attack the island, while others praised the government’s defensive response. Street musician Efraín Scotland said the incident “is not going to bring down a nation,” while construction worker Roberto Henry Figueredo described Cuba’s defensive action as effective.
Political analysts noted lingering questions about the motives behind the boat’s voyage. Cuban political scientist Rafael M. Hernández called the alleged operation “silly and counterproductive,” highlighting uncertainties over whether the trip aimed to launch a liberation movement or sabotage efforts on the island.
Observers warned that the incident could further strain U.S.-Cuba relations, already under pressure from tightened U.S. sanctions and recent threats of tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba. Fuel shortages on the island have prompted government-imposed conservation measures, heightening public concern over potential economic and diplomatic repercussions.
Cuba Seeks Further Clarification
Fernández de Cossío emphasized that the Cuban government is awaiting detailed responses from U.S. authorities regarding the individuals and organizations involved. The government has pledged to provide additional information in the coming days, as both nations seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deadly encounter.
Source: AP News – Cuba says it is communicating with US after fatal boat shooting but seeks more details
