Cuba’s government said Wednesday that its coast guard killed four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that allegedly entered Cuban territorial waters carrying weapons and plans to carry out a terrorist attack. According to the Interior Ministry in Havana, the vessel was intercepted about one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino canal in Cayo Falcones. Officials said the occupants—identified as Cuban nationals living in the United States—opened fire when approached for identification, injuring the commander of the Cuban patrol boat. In the ensuing confrontation, four people aboard the speedboat were killed and six others wounded and taken into custody.
Authorities reported that the boat carried 10 individuals armed with assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms. The ministry alleged the group was attempting an “armed infiltration for terrorist purposes” and said most had a known history of criminal and violent activity. One of the deceased was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, while six detained suspects were named by officials. A seventh alleged accomplice, Duniel Hernández Santos, was arrested separately on the island and accused of coordinating the group’s reception; Cuban authorities claim he has confessed. The identities and motives cited by Havana have not been independently verified by the United States.
U.S. officials said they are still investigating the incident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington currently has no information beyond Cuban reports and is working through diplomatic and security channels to determine whether those involved were U.S. citizens or legal residents. Vice President JD Vance said the White House is monitoring developments, while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered an investigation in coordination with federal authorities. Several members of Congress, including Representatives María Elvira Salazar and Carlos Giménez, called for a full inquiry, with Giménez describing the event as a “massacre.” The episode comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana following new U.S. sanctions and tariffs on Cuba.
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