Cuba says four people were killed after a U.S.-registered speedboat entered its waters.
In a statement, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said the vessel was detected Wednesday morning near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province along the island’s northern coast. Officials said the Florida-registered speedboat, listed as FL7726SH, was approached by a Cuban border guard patrol for identification.
Note from the Ministry of the Interior:
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… pic.twitter.com/AEmwtAZ4lO
— Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) February 25, 2026
According to authorities, when the patrol boat — carrying five border guard members — moved in, the occupants of the speedboat allegedly opened fire, injuring the Cuban commander.
Cuban forces returned fire during the confrontation. Officials said four people aboard the foreign vessel were killed and six others were wounded. The injured were evacuated and received medical treatment.
The identities and nationalities of those on board have not been released. Cuban authorities said an investigation has been launched to clarify what happened and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Florida Representative Carlos Gimenez called for an urgent investigation, referring to the incident as a “massacre.” He said U.S. authorities must determine whether any of the victims were American citizens or legal residents.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba. In its statement, the Cuban government said it remains committed to defending its territorial waters and protecting its sovereignty.
U.S. officials have not yet issued a public response.
The investigation remains ongoing.
