Cuba reports armed incident with Florida boat: there are dead

The Cuban Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported a maritime incident in the country's territorial waters involving a speedboat registered in Florida (USA). This is stated in an official statement released by the Cuban side.

According to the agency, the incident occurred in the morning 25 February 2026.

What the Cuban side says

The Cuban Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that border guards found an offending speedboat about one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino Canal (Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province).

According to their version:

• The vessel was registered in Florida;

• as the Cuban patrol approached, the boat crew opened fire;

• the commander of the Cuban vessel was wounded as a result of the shooting.

Consequences of the incident

According to Havana, as a result of the collision:

• four people on a foreign vessel were killed;

• more six were injured;

• The victims were evacuated for medical care.

Reaction and verification

The Cuban authorities stressed that they were acting to protect their sovereignty and territorial waters.

At the same time:

• There is currently no independent confirmation of the circumstances of the incident;

• The official reaction of the United States has not been made public at the time of the announcement;

• The investigation is ongoing.

Context.

Such incidents in Caribbean waters are rare and can have diplomatic consequences once all the circumstances are established.