At least one American citizen was shot dead and another injured when Cuban border guards intercepted a speedboat off the country’s northern coast on Wednesday, a US official said.
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Cuban authorities said four people were killed and six injured when officers opened fire on the Florida-registered vessel. They accused the 10 people on board of planning “an infiltration with terrorist aims” and said the passengers fired first.
The US official confirmed that one of those killed was an American citizen. Another American was injured. A third person on the boat was travelling on a US K-1 visa, which is issued to fiancées of American citizens.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was investigating what he described as a “highly unusual” incident.
Cuban authorities said all 10 people on board were Cuban nationals residing in the United States. They also reported that an 11th person had been arrested and had confessed to being part of the alleged plot.
Cuba’s interior ministry said the speedboat entered its territorial waters and was intercepted about one nautical mile off Cayo Falcones on the northern coast. The ministry said the commander of the Cuban vessel was injured during the exchange of gunfire.
According to Cuban officials, most of the people on the boat had prior criminal records involving violent activity.
Authorities said they recovered handguns, assault rifles and improvised explosive devices from the vessel, along with other tactical equipment.
The owner of the speedboat alleged that the vessel had been stolen by an employee.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026