Cuban Interior Ministry Accuses U.S. Speedboat of Gunfire, Says 4 Killed

Feb 25, 2026

Cuban coastguard kills four on Florida-registered speedboat in exchange of fire

Cuba says four people on a U.S.-registered speedboat were killed in a confrontation with Cuban border forces off the island’s northern coast on Wednesday. The claim matters now because it’s a rare, deadly maritime clash tied to an incident still not confirmed by U.S. officials.

Havana’s account centers on a shootout: Cuban authorities say the Florida-registered vessel entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire during an attempted identification. If that sequence is disputed, it could quickly become a diplomatic flashpoint.

According to a statement reported by Reuters, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said four people aboard the speedboat died and six were injured, while a commander from Cuba’s border patrol was also wounded. The incident was reported near Villa Clara province.

But early reporting leaves big holes: the identities and motive of those on the boat were not established, and independent verification is limited. The Washington Post reported it could not confirm Cuba’s account and said the U.S. State Department declined to comment.

“The Cuban government said those on the Florida-registered boat opened fire as troops approached for identification,” ABC News reported, citing the Interior Ministry.

Several U.S. local outlets added location detail—pointing to the El Pino channel/Cayo Falcones area—and reported a Florida registration number while saying the injured were evacuated for medical assistance.

What happens next will likely hinge on whether the U.S. confirms any connection to the vessel or passengers, and whether Cuba releases names, evidence, or a fuller timeline from the Interior Ministry investigation.

Until then, the incident stands as a high-risk flashpoint on the water with major unanswered questions on both sides.

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