Cuba has claimed it killed four people and injured six others aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Cuban Ministry of the Interior. The incident, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as “highly unusual,” occurred when individuals on the speedboat allegedly opened fire on Cuban border patrol troops near the El Pino canal in Cayo Falcones, approximately one nautical mile northeast of Cuban territory.
According to the Cuban government statement, five Cuban border guards approached the vessel to identify it when passengers on the speedboat opened fire. The commander of the Cuban patrol boat was injured during the exchange. The six injured individuals from the Florida-registered speedboat were transferred for emergency medical assistance, though Cuban authorities did not specify the identities of those aboard or their motives for entering Cuban waters.
U.S. Response to Cuba Speedboat Shooting
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that no U.S. government personnel were involved in the Cuba speedboat shooting incident. Speaking to reporters, Rubio emphasized the rarity of such confrontations, stating it is “highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that, it’s not something that happens every day, it’s something frankly that hasn’t happened with Cuba in a very long time.” However, he declined to speculate on what might have prompted the incident.
Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida has called for a formal investigation into the shooting to determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents. The congressman’s request highlights concerns about the nationality and status of those aboard the speedboat, information that Cuban authorities have not yet disclosed publicly.
Context of U.S.-Cuba Maritime Tensions
The Florida Straits, which separate Cuba and the United States by just 90 miles at their closest point near Key West, represent one of the most heavily monitored maritime corridors in the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, this region has been the site of numerous migration attempts and drug-trafficking operations over the past several decades, making maritime confrontations a persistent security concern for both nations.
The Cuba speedboat shooting comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in January 2026. According to the White House, the emergency order was based on alleged Cuban support for “numerous hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors adverse to the United States.” The declaration resulted in sweeping economic measures against Cuba, including extraterritorial tariffs aimed at restricting fuel shipments to the island nation.
Economic and Political Implications
Secretary Rubio also addressed Cuba’s deteriorating economic situation during his remarks about the incident, stating that “the reason why things are as bad as they are is because they have an economic model that does not exist.” The Cuban economy has faced severe challenges due to government mismanagement, U.S. sanctions, and an acute fuel crisis exacerbated by the collapse of Venezuelan oil supplies to Havana.
In contrast to previous periods of relative stability in U.S.-Cuba maritime relations, the current environment reflects broader deterioration in bilateral ties. The new U.S. tariffs have deepened Cuba’s energy crisis, resulting in widespread fuel shortages and recurring blackouts across the island. These economic pressures have created additional strain on Cuban border patrol operations and maritime security capabilities.
Authorities have not confirmed when additional details about the identities of those aboard the speedboat will be released, nor has a timeline been established for the investigation requested by Representative Gimenez. The outcome of any investigation could have significant implications for how both governments manage maritime security and enforcement in the Florida Straits moving forward.
