Four killed in speedboat shootout after US-registered vessel enters Cuban waters

Four people have been shot dead after a speedboat registered in Florida ‘opened fire’ on the Cuban border guard.

Six people on the boat were injured after it entered waters close to Cayo Falcones on the Caribbean island on Wednesday morning.

Cuban authorities claim that the occupants of the boat opened fire on coast guard injuring the commander.

They then returned fire killing four of the crew.

A Cuban Ministry of the Interior spokesperson said: ‘On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters.

‘The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province.

‘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.

‘As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured.

‘The injured individuals were evacuated and received medical assistance.’

They added: ‘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. Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events.’

This is a breaking news story… More to follow…