Cuban Forces Kill 4 On US-Registered Speedboat In Shootout Off Island's Coast, Rubio Orders Probe

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 07:08 IST

The speedboat, registered in Florida under the number FL7726SH, was detected near the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, part of Villa Clara province.

In a dramatic shootout just off the Cuban island’s coast, the forces shot dead four people in a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters on Wednesday. Six other people aboard the vessel were injured and are receiving medical attention. The nationalities of those killed are not yet known.

The speedboat, registered in Florida under the number FL7726SH, was detected near the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, part of Villa Clara province.

Responding to the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US embassy in Havana is working to get access to other people who were aboard the vessel to determine whether they are American citizens or permanent residents.

“As we gather more information, we will be prepared to respond to accordingly," Rubio said. “We’re going to figure out exactly what happened."

The incident came at a time when tensions are on the rise between the US and Cuba as Washington has virtually blocked all oil shipments from reaching the communist-run island.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean nation is experiencing its worst era of economic uncertainty in decades as the oil shortage has brought Cuba’s economy to its knees.

What Happened?

Cuban border guard troops approached the boat to identify it after it entered Cuban territorial waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara Province, the ministry said. Following this, the Cuban forces were shot at by someone from the boat, injuring the commander of the Cuban boat, the statement said. The border guards then returned fire.

Rubio said the US “immediately" began looking into the incident after being informed of it by Cuban authorities.

US Vice President JD Vance said the White House was “monitoring" the situation but details are still scarce. “(It is) certainly, you know, a situation that we’re monitoring, hopefully it’s not as bad we fear it could be. But (I) can’t say more, because I just don’t know more," Vance said during an unrelated event at the White House.

Cuba Vows To Protect Territorial Waters

In view of the current challenges, the Cuban interior ministry said that Cuba reaffirmed its willingness to protect its territorial waters, based on the fact that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in favour of protecting its sovereignty and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, officials from Florida called for an investigation and for the Cuban government to be held accountable.

US Republican Congressman Carlos A Gimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, said the incident raised concerns about the use of lethal force against people aboard a US-registered vessel and called for an investigation into the incident.

Republican Senator Rick Scott, also from Florida, called the incident “deeply concerning" and said the Cuban government “must be held accountable."

(With agency inputs)

News world Cuban Forces Kill 4 On US-Registered Speedboat In Shootout Off Island's Coast, Rubio Orders Probe

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