- A Florida registered vessel allegedly opened fire on Cuban security forces in Villa Clara province.
- Four individuals on the speedboat were killed and six others injured in the exchange of gunfire.
- Cuba describes the incident as an act of aggression and a violation of its territorial sovereignty.
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior reported a deadly maritime confrontation on Wednesday morning, claiming that a U.S. registered speedboat violated its territorial waters and opened fire on border security forces.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident, which took place on February 25, 2026, occurred near the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, situated within the Corralillo municipality of Villa Clara province.
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According to the official statement from Havana, the clash resulted in the deaths of four people on the foreign vessel, while six others sustained various injuries.
Authorities identified the speedboat by its Florida registration number, FL7726SH.
The vessel was reportedly detected roughly one nautical mile northeast of the channel when it was intercepted by a surface patrol unit of the Cuban Border Guard Troops.
The Cuban patrol boat, manned by five service members, attempted to identify the speedboat before the crew of the Florida registered craft allegedly initiated a firefight.
During the exchange, the commander of the Cuban vessel was reportedly injured, leading to a decisive response from the border guards that left four of the “aggressors” dead.
Following the confrontation, the six injured individuals from the speedboat were evacuated and provided with medical treatment by Cuban authorities.
At the time of the report, the identities and nationalities of those on board the foreign vessel had not been disclosed.
The Cuban government has taken a firm diplomatic stance, categorizing the speedboat as a “violating vessel” and framing the entire encounter as a direct act of aggression against Cuban sovereignty.
The Cuban Ministry of the Interior reaffirmed its commitment to national defense, stating that protecting territorial waters is a fundamental pillar of the state’s duty to maintain regional stability.
The official statement was disseminated via the X account of the Cuban Embassy in the United States, signaling the gravity of the event in the context of international relations.
While the specific motives of the speedboat’s crew remain unclear, the region has historically been a focal point for sensitive issues involving migration and unauthorized maritime transit.
Investigations by Cuban authorities are currently ongoing to determine what prompted the gunfire and what the vessel’s primary mission was within the restricted waters.
This development marks a significant escalation in the already fragile relationship between Havana and Washington, particularly regarding maritime boundaries and security protocols in the Florida Straits.
As of Thursday, there has been no official confirmation from U.S. agencies regarding the registration or the occupants of the vessel involved in the deadly skirmish.
