Cuban Coast Guard Kills 4 In Exchange Of Gunfire With Florida-Registered Speedboat

Cuban border forces shot dead four people and wounded six others after an exchange of gunfire with a Florida-registered speedboat near Cayo Falcones, off Cuba’s northern coast.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, about one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino canal in Villa Clara province.

Cuban authorities said the group intended to carry out an armed infiltration for terrorist purposes, a claim that US officials say they are independently investigating.

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the vessel, registered in Florida under number FL7726SH, was detected early Wednesday morning near Cayo Falcones.

A Cuban patrol boat carrying five members of the Border Guard Troops approached the speedboat for identification. Cuban authorities said the occupants of the speedboat opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel.

Cuban forces returned fire. As a result of the exchange:

• 4 people aboard the speedboat were killed
• 6 were injured
• 1 Cuban patrol commander was wounded
• 10 individuals were on board the vessel

An additional 11th suspect was arrested separately on Cuban territory

The injured passengers were evacuated and received medical treatment. The six survivors were detained.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry said authorities recovered: Assault rifles, Handguns, Improvised explosive devices, including Molotov cocktails, Bulletproof vests, Telescopic sights, Camouflage uniforms, Additional tactical gear.

Officials alleged that the group intended to “carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.” Cuban authorities also stated that most of the individuals had prior criminal or violent records.

The government identified one of the deceased as Michel Ortega Casanova.

The six detained survivors were named as Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra.

Authorities also said Duniel Hernández Santos was arrested inside Cuba and allegedly confessed to assisting in receiving the infiltrators.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident did not involve US government personnel. He described the confrontation as “highly unusual” and confirmed that US agencies, including the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security, were investigating.

Rubio stated that the United States would independently verify the facts and not rely solely on information from Havana. US Vice President JD Vance said the White House was monitoring the situation but had limited details.

Several Florida lawmakers called for investigations. Representative Carlos Gimenez described the incident as a massacre and demanded federal scrutiny. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier directed state prosecutors to coordinate with federal authorities.

References: BBC, CBS News

Source: Maritime Shipping News