Cuba Border Guards Kill 4 on US-Registered Speedboat

A lethal maritime confrontation off the northern coast of Cuba has left four people dead and six wounded, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The incident, involving a Florida-registered speedboat and Cuban Border Guard Troops, occurred amid a deepening fuel crisis and a virtual "oil siege" by the United States. While Havana labels the event a thwarted "terrorist infiltration," US officials have called for an independent investigation into what some describe as a "massacre."

What we know now

The shootout took place on the morning of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in the waters near Cayo Falcones, located in the central Villa Clara province.

• Vessel Details: A 24-foot motorboat registered in Florida with registration number FL7726SH.

• Location: Detected approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel.

• Casualties: Four passengers killed, six wounded, and one Cuban patrol commander injured.

• Detentions: Six survivors on the boat and one facilitator on land have been detained.

Key details and seized assets

According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (Minint), the vessel was carrying 10 individuals, all identified as Cuban residents of the United States.

The following items were reportedly seized from the speedboat:

• Assault rifles and handguns.

• Molotov cocktails.

• Bulletproof vests and camouflage uniforms.

• Telescopic sights.

Cuba has identified several individuals involved, including Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, whom authorities claim were previously wanted for planning terrorist acts. One of the deceased has been identified as Michel Ortega Casanova.

Context: The "Oil Siege" and Historical Friction

The confrontation follows the January ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which led the US to block virtually all oil shipments to Cuba. This "humanitarian crisis" has forced Havana into a defensive posture regarding its territorial waters.

The timing of the incident is also historically significant, occurring almost exactly 30 years after the 1996 shoot-down of two "Brothers to the Rescue" planes by the Cuban Air Force, an event that permanently codified the US trade embargo.

Impact: Diplomatic fallout and investigations

The incident has triggered a sharp response from both Havana and Washington.

• Havana: Reaffirms its "determination to protect its territorial waters" as a fundamental pillar of national defense.

• Washington: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US will "verify independently" and gather its own facts rather than relying on the Cuban account.

• Florida: Attorney General James Uthmeier and Representative Carlos Gimenez have demanded an urgent investigation, with Gimenez labeling the incident a "massacre".

What happens next

• US Investigation: The US Embassy in Havana and the State Department are expected to launch a formal inquiry into the status of the victims (citizens vs. legal residents).

• Security Protocols: Regional maritime coalitions and Florida law enforcement are reviewing protocols for high-speed craft interceptions in the Florida Straits.

• Legal Recourse: Families of the deceased in Miami are expected to seek legal and factual clarity through international channels.

Bigger signal

The Cayo Falcones shootout is not an isolated maritime tragedy; it is the physical manifestation of a structural breakdown in US-Cuba diplomacy. As Washington ramps up economic pressure and Havana doubles down on military sovereignty, the Florida Straits are once again becoming a militarized flashpoint. Whether this leads to a new "pretext for intervention" or a further tightening of the embargo, the signal is clear: the era of cautious engagement is over, replaced by a high-stakes return to Cold War-era maritime friction.

FAQ

1. Was the speedboat stolen? Preliminary reports suggest the boat's owner in Miami reported it stolen from a Florida Keys marina prior to the incident.

2. What was the boat's intent? Cuba alleges a "terrorist infiltration" intent; US officials are investigating if this was a civilian or paramilitary operation.

3. Are there any US survivors? Six people on the boat survived with injuries and are currently detained in Cuba.

4. How far was the boat from shore? It was intercepted approximately one nautical mile from the coast of Villa Clara.

5. What is the registration of the boat? The vessel is registered in Florida with the number FL7726SH.

6. Who is leading the US response? Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Florida state officials.