Deadly Confrontation in Cuban Waters
A deadly confrontation occurred after a U.S.-registered boat entered Cuban territorial waters. According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, four people were killed, including a border guard commander, and six others were injured. The Cuban government condemned the incursion, while U.S. officials have launched their own investigation into the incident.
The Florida-registered speedboat, number FL7726SH, was intercepted approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, Villa Clara province. Cuban authorities allege the ten individuals on board, all Cuban nationals residing in the U.S., intended to carry out an "infiltration for terrorist purposes." A subsequent report indicates the boat was reported stolen from Big Pine Key in Florida. Cuban authorities reported seizing a cache of weapons from the vessel, including assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, body armor, and camouflage uniforms. The Cuban Interior Ministry named six of the detained individuals and one of the deceased, Michel Ortega Casanova. It also alleged that two of the men were already on a Cuban national list for suspected involvement in terrorist activities. A U.S. official confirmed that at least one U.S. citizen was killed and another was injured in the confrontation. The official also stated that some of the individuals on the boat had criminal records. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has ordered an investigation into the incident. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized a shootout on the open sea as "highly unusual," stating it hasn't happened between the U.S. and Cuba in a "very long time." He confirmed no U.S. government personnel were involved in the shooting. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba "will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist or mercenary aggression." Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Carlos Giménez, who was born in Cuba, labeled the event a "massacre" and called for an immediate investigation to determine if any victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents.
