Four Killed by Cuban Border Guards Were Cuban Nationals Living in US

Havana Says Armed Group Opened Fire First

Cuba’s interior ministry says the four people shot dead aboard a US-registered speedboat were Cuban nationals living in the United States.

According to a government statement, the Florida-registered vessel was intercepted Wednesday morning near Cayo Falcones, off Villa Clara province. When a Cuban border guard boat approached for identification, the passengers allegedly opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander.

Authorities say four people on the speedboat were killed during the confrontation and six others injured. The wounded were evacuated for medical treatment and later detained.

Alleged ‘Terrorist Infiltration’ Plot

Cuban officials claim the group intended to “carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.” The interior ministry said the 10 passengers were armed with handguns, assault rifles and improvised explosive devices, and that most had prior criminal records involving violent activity.

An eleventh individual has also reportedly been arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the plot.

US Launches Independent Investigation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the incident as “highly unusual” and confirmed that no US government personnel were on board.

Speaking from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rubio said Washington would conduct its own investigation rather than rely solely on Cuban government accounts. He added that the US Coast Guard had travelled to the vicinity of the shooting to gather facts.

“It is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that,” Rubio said.

Rising Tensions Between Washington and Havana

The clash comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba. The island is grappling with a worsening fuel crisis, exacerbated by US efforts to block Venezuelan oil shipments.

In a separate move, the US Treasury said Wednesday it would ease some small private-sector transactions, including limited oil sales, to support humanitarian and commercial activity benefiting the Cuban people.

Cuba’s interior ministry said the confrontation underscored its resolve to defend territorial waters and national sovereignty “in the face of current challenges.”

Florida Lawmakers Demand Accountability

The incident drew swift condemnation from Florida Republicans.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez called the episode a “massacre” and pledged to demand a full investigation. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said local law enforcement would examine the case, arguing that the Cuban government “cannot be trusted.”

In the Senate, Rick Scott called for a “full investigation” and said Havana must be held accountable.

The shooting also occurred one day after Cuban-American groups in Miami marked the 30th anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, adding further political sensitivity to an already volatile moment in US-Cuba relations.

SOURCE: BBC

And who were the instigators of this cockamamie plot???

On 2/26/2026 at 10:02 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

And who were the instigators of this cockamamie plot???

The Cuban authorities have named the deceased, as well as those now in detention receiving medical treatment. A man named as Duniel Hernández Santos has been arrested in Cuba. He had reportedly been deported from the US in 2024.

Several of the participants were on a list Cuba circulated to the UN, and the US authorities, in particular, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez. The Cuban Foreign Ministry claimed that Cuban authorities had maintained communication with the US State Department and Coast Guard from the moment the vessel was detected, and that the US government had indicated willingness to cooperate in the investigation.

An updated Cuban statement:

https://cubaminrex.cu/es/declaraciones-del-viceministro-de-relaciones-exteriores-de-la-republica-de-cuba-carlos-fernandez-de

A Cuban exile group says its nothing to do with them

https://www.martinoticias.com/a/partido-republicano-de-cuba-niega-v%C3%ADnculos-con-incidente-armado-en-costas-cubanas/450019.html

Further Cuban accounts, including photos of the gear allegedly recovered. The Cubans now say there were two boats that left Marathon Key, bit one broke down.

https://www.cubaperiodistas.cu/2026/02/cuba-revela-nuevos-detalles-sobre-el-intento-de-infiltracion-armada-con-fines-terroristas-fotos-y-video/

https://www.radiosanctispiritus.cu/es/revelan-detalles-sobre-intento-de-infiltracion-armada-con-fines-terroristas/

They were traitors. They should be dealt with harshly.