In an incident that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and reignited longstanding tensions, Cuban border troops killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters on February 25, 2026. According to statements released by Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior and reported by multiple news outlets including the Associated Press and POLITICO, the speedboat’s passengers—identified as armed Cuban nationals living in the United States—opened fire first on Cuban soldiers, injuring a commander before being met with deadly force.
The confrontation took place roughly one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cuba’s north coast, in the early hours of Wednesday. The Cuban government described the incident as an attempted armed infiltration, labeling the group’s actions as terrorist in nature. The Ministry of the Interior stated, “In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region.”
Authorities in Havana said the speedboat carried ten people, most of whom had known histories of criminal and violent activity. Among those identified were Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, both wanted by Cuban authorities for alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities. Another passenger, Duniel Hernández Santos, was arrested and reportedly confessed to his role in the attempted infiltration, according to Cuban officials. The government also named Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra among those on board. Of the four people killed, one was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, while the identities of the other three remain unconfirmed as investigations continue.
Following the shootout, Cuban authorities seized a cache of weapons, including assault rifles, handguns, and explosive devices, further supporting their claim that the group intended to carry out a violent mission on Cuban soil. The six surviving passengers were taken for medical treatment, and the investigation remains ongoing as officials seek to clarify every detail of the incident.
The United States government has responded with a mixture of caution and urgency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was attending a regional summit in Basseterre, St. Kitts at the time, told reporters that the U.S. is actively gathering its own information. “We have various different elements of the U.S. government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the U.S. would not rely solely on Cuban accounts. He described the incident as “highly unusual,” noting, “It’s not something that happens every day. It’s something, frankly, that hasn’t happened with Cuba in a very long time.”
Rubio made clear that the boat’s occupants were not U.S. government personnel and that multiple agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard—are investigating. He added, “We’re going to have our own information on this. We’re going to figure out exactly what happened.” The U.S. Embassy in Havana has requested access to the survivors, but as of yet, no details have been released about whether any of those killed or wounded were American citizens or permanent residents.
Vice President JD Vance, who was briefed by Rubio, stated that the White House is monitoring the situation closely. “Hopefully it’s not as bad as we fear it could be,” Vance remarked, reflecting the uncertainty that continues to surround the incident. The White House has not commented further, maintaining a careful stance as more facts emerge.
Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier has ordered prosecutors to coordinate with federal, state, and law enforcement partners to investigate the incident. Uthmeier was blunt in his assessment, stating on social media, “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.” His comments were echoed by Florida Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez, who decried the killings and accused the Cuban government of murder, writing, “This regime must be relegated to the dust bin of history!” Meanwhile, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz expressed deep concern over the deadly confrontation and called for an immediate investigation, highlighting the silence from the Trump administration on the matter.
The circumstances surrounding the speedboat’s presence in Cuban waters remain murky. While the Cuban government asserts that the group intended to carry out a terrorist attack, U.S. officials have been careful not to speculate on motives or affiliations until their own investigations are complete. The Associated Press noted that the boat’s registration could not be independently verified, as such records are not publicly available in Florida.
This deadly encounter comes at a time of renewed friction between Washington and Havana. In the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s ouster—a move that cut off Cuba’s primary source of subsidized oil—the Trump administration has taken a harder line against the Cuban government. President Trump recently signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, pressuring Mexico and exacerbating the island’s ongoing energy crisis. The administration has also floated the possibility of a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba, though the Treasury Department recently announced a partial easing by allowing companies to resume selling Venezuelan oil to the island.
Amid these developments, Secretary Rubio has called for sweeping changes in Cuba. “The government needs to make dramatic reforms that open the space for both economic and eventually political freedom for the people of Cuba,” he said, underscoring the broader context of the confrontation at sea. The Cuban government, for its part, maintains that it is acting to protect its sovereignty and ensure regional stability.
Historically, skirmishes between Cuba’s coast guard and U.S.-flagged speedboats have occurred, often involving smuggling or attempts to pick up Cuban migrants. However, incidents involving deadly shootouts have been exceedingly rare in recent decades. The events of February 25 mark a stark departure from this pattern, raising fears of further escalation and complicating already fraught U.S.-Cuba relations.
As both governments dig in, the world watches closely. The facts are still coming into focus, and the stakes—both for the individuals involved and for the broader relationship between two long-estranged neighbors—could hardly be higher. For now, one thing is clear: the waters off Cuba’s coast have become the latest flashpoint in a conflict that shows no sign of ebbing.