U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the U.S. government is looking into an incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat and Cuban soldiers, where four individuals were reportedly killed and six others injured. The Cuban government stated that the boat had entered its waters and opened fire first, prompting a response from the military.
In remarks made at the airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Rubio explained that various elements of the U.S. government are working to gather additional information surrounding the incident to ascertain whether the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. He stated, “It is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that,” highlighting the rarity of such violent confrontations at sea.
The Cuban Interior Ministry reported that the incident occurred approximately one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones, off the northern coast of Cuba. They disclosed the boat’s registration number; however, details remained challenging to verify due to Florida’s regulations on boat registrations. In total, one Cuban officer sustained injuries in the confrontation, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to six others.
The situation has sparked concerns about escalating tensions between the United States and Cuba, particularly following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and subsequent U.S. policy changes affecting Cuba. President Trump has adopted a tougher stance on Cuba, especially after signing an executive order that imposes tariffs on nations that provide oil to Cuba, expressing the need for the Cuban government to implement reforms that promote economic and political freedom.
Vice President JD Vance, who was briefed by Rubio on the matter, described the situation as a cause for concern but remained hopeful that it wouldn’t escalate further. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called for an investigation, asserting that the Cuban government cannot be trusted and that accountability is necessary.
The incident has reignited discussions about the broader implications for U.S.-Cuba relations, especially as tensions in the region continue to rise. While it is not uncommon for skirmishes to occur between Cuba’s Coast Guard and U.S.-flagged vessels, the firing back and resulting casualties mark a significant development that could potentially affect diplomatic relations in the future.