Cuba says four killed after U.S. boat violates territorial waters

Cuban officials said a Florida-registered speedboat violated their territorial waters on Wednesday, kicking off an armed confrontation with Cuban border guard troops in which four people on the vessel were killed.

Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior posted a statement about the confrontation on Facebook.

U.S. officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A commander of the Cuban border guard was injured, as well as six people on the U.S. boat, the statement said.

The statement noted that the people on the U.S.-registered vessel initiated the firefight, which took place one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel off Cuba’s north coast.

“When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel,” the statement said.

The injured people were evacuated and received medical assistance, according to the statement.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba over the Trump administration’s restriction of oil shipments to the country, especially from Venezuela, though the U.S. announced on Wednesday it would allow some sales to Cuba’s private sector.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

“I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with our federal, state, and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation,” he said in a post on X. “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.”

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., also called for an investigation.

“I am calling for an immediate investigation into this massacre,” Gimenez said in a statement. “United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was meeting with Caribbean leaders at a conference in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday.