Cuban border guard troops killed four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat Wednesday after an exchange of gunfire, the Cuban Interior Ministry said. The ministry alleges the ten individuals on board were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S. Armed with assault rifles, handguns, and Molotov cocktails, and were attempting to infiltrate the island “for terrorist purposes.” Six others were wounded and detained in the incident, which occurred approximately one nautical mile northeast of El Pino channel in the province of Villa Clara.
According to the Cuban Interior Ministry, five border guard troops approached the speedboat to identify its passengers when those aboard opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander. The ensuing gunfight resulted in four deaths and six injuries among those on the boat, with the wounded receiving medical attention and being taken into custody. Authorities seized an arsenal of weapons, including assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms, according to the ministry’s statement.
The ministry identified seven of the individuals involved: Michel Ortega Casanova, who was among those killed, and Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, who were arrested. The ministry too stated that Duniel Hernández Santos was arrested on the island and accused of being sent from the U.S. To facilitate the group’s arrival.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. And Cuba, exacerbated by the U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s oil supply, a critical resource for Cuba. The disruption has crippled Cuba’s economy, leading to widespread blackouts and soaring food prices. Some observers suggest the incident could be leveraged by the U.S. To further pressure Cuba, particularly following former President Donald Trump’s suggestions that Cuba could be next after the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from St. Kitts and Nevis, stated the U.S. Is investigating the incident but currently relies heavily on information provided by the Cuban government. “The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and we’ll be prepared to respond accordingly,” Rubio said. He confirmed that U.S. Government personnel were not involved in the operation. CBS News reported on Rubio’s comments.
Vice President J.D. Vance said the White House is monitoring the situation, stating, “Hopefully, it’s not as bad as we fear it could be, but I can’t say more because I just don’t know more.”
Several Florida politicians have called for a more assertive response. Representative Carlos Gimenez (R, Fla.) demanded an immediate investigation to determine if any of those involved were U.S. Citizens or legal residents, stating, “The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity.” Senator Rick Scott (R, Fla.) echoed this sentiment, calling for a full investigation and accountability for the “Communist Cuban regime.” Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered the state’s Office of Statewide Prosecution to launch its own investigation alongside federal authorities. NBC Miami detailed the responses from Florida officials.
This is not the first instance of confrontations between Cuban and American vessels. In 2022, Cuba intercepted 13 U.S. Speedboats allegedly involved in migrant smuggling. Earlier that year, a shootout occurred when Cuban border guards intercepted a speedboat north of Bahía Honda, resulting in one fatality. The Cuban Interior Ministry at the time attributed these incidents to the U.S.’s migration policies, which they claimed encouraged human trafficking. ABC News reported on previous incidents.
Earlier this month, President Trump renewed an emergency order allowing U.S. Authorities to intercept vessels en route to Cuba, originally signed in 1996 following the downing of two U.S. Aircraft by Cuban forces. The order cites concerns about unauthorized entry into Cuban waters and potential mass migration, which the U.S. Government deems a threat to national security.
The incident unfolds as Cuba faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with Mexico and Canada recently announcing humanitarian aid in response to fuel shortages, rising food prices, and prolonged power outages. The U.S. Has allowed the resale of Venezuelan oil to private businesses in Cuba, but likely at levels insufficient to meet the island’s needs. The situation remains fluid, with the outcome of the U.S. Investigation and the potential for further escalation between the two nations uncertain.
