HAVANA — Cuban authorities reported Wednesday that a U.S.-registered vessel intercepted by the coast guard in Cuban territorial waters was carrying armed individuals intending to carry out an “infiltration” from the United States with “terrorist purposes.” The United States has opened an investigation into the armed confrontation that left at least four people dead and several injured in Cuban waters.
“It has been established that the neutralized swift boat, with Florida registration FL7726SH, was carrying 10 armed individuals, who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, had intentions to carry out an infiltration with terrorist purposes,” stated a Ministry of Interior (MININT) communiqué.
The statement details that assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms were seized on board. According to MININT, all those involved “are Cuban residents in the United States. Most of them with a known history of criminal and violent activity.” The Ministry of Interior released the names of the six wounded and one of the deceased individuals in a subsequent communiqué.
Two of the occupants of the boat are listed on Cuba’s list of individuals “subject to criminal investigations” and are wanted by Cuban authorities for “implication in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission” of “acts of terrorism” in Cuba or other countries, the note specifies.
Authorities also reported the arrest of another Cuban national who had traveled from the United States to the island to facilitate the operation, and who confessed “to his actions.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered the launch of an investigation to clarify what occurred and coordinate with federal and law enforcement agencies. “I have directed the State Attorney’s Office to function with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to initiate an investigation,” he stated. He also questioned Havana’s version of events: “Cuba cannot be trusted. We will do everything possible to hold the communists accountable.”
According to the Cuban Ministry of Interior, the incident occurred Wednesday morning when a fast boat with a Florida registration was detected “in territorial waters” approximately 1.6 kilometers northeast of Cayo Falcones, on the north coast of the island. Cuban authorities indicated that as a unit of the border guard troops approached to identify the vessel, “fire was opened from the offending boat against the Cuban personnel,” resulting in an exchange of fire.
“As a result of the confrontation, four aggressors were killed and six were injured, who received medical assistance,” the official Cuban statement indicated, without specifying the nationality of the occupants or the reason for their presence in the area. A commander was also injured during the episode.
The information released by Havana indicated that investigations “are ongoing” for the “full” clarification of the facts and underscored that “Cuba reaffirms its willingness to protect territorial waters, based on the fact that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the State.”
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the White House is following the situation after being informed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was participating in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit. “Hopefully it’s not as serious as we fear,” Vance declared, without providing further details.
Rubio, on official travel in St. Kitts and Nevis to meet with Caribbean officials, indicated that the United States is investigating the shooting, but is currently relying on information provided by the Cuban government about what occurred. “As we gather more information, we will be prepared to respond accordingly,” he said, denying the involvement of U.S. Government personnel in the incident. Hours later, the State Department published a video of Rubio stating: “We are going to find out exactly what happened and who was involved. We are not going to settle for what others tell us.”
The confrontation occurs in a context of heightened tension between the two countries, marked by the hardening of Washington’s policy toward Havana and the energy blockade of the island. Cuban authorities indicated that these types of incidents with fast boats from the United States are often linked to human trafficking or smuggling, although they emphasized that direct shootouts between uniformed personnel and boat crews are unusual.
