Four people were killed and six others wounded after Cuban border guards exchanged gunfire with a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban territorial waters on 25 February 2026, according to Cuban authorities.
The incident occurred near Cayo Falcones, off the northern coast of Villa Clara province. Cuban officials said a patrol vessel intercepted the speedboat after it crossed into Cuban waters and attempted to identify it. Authorities allege the occupants of the boat opened fire first, injuring the commander of the Cuban patrol before border guards returned fire.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said the vessel was carrying ten people and claimed weapons and tactical equipment were recovered on board. Officials accused those aboard of attempting an “armed infiltration” into the country. Six survivors were detained and taken to hospital for treatment. Cuban authorities later reported additional arrests on land in connection with the incident.
The boat was registered in Florida, though U.S. officials said they were still gathering information and conducting an independent review of the circumstances. Washington has not confirmed Cuba’s account of who initiated the gunfire.
The shooting has heightened tensions between Havana and Washington, with calls for greater clarity over what led to the deadly confrontation.
