Cuba: Coast Guard Kills Four After Shootout With US-Registered Speedboat

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Havana: Cuban authorities have confirmed that four people were killed and six others wounded following an armed confrontation at sea involving a speedboat registered in Florida, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The incident occurred in territorial waters near Cayo Falcones off Villa Clara province in north-central Cuba.

The Cuban statement said a patrol vessel from the Border Guard Troops spotted the speedboat about one nautical mile from shore and moved to identify it. According to Havana, the occupants described as heavily armed and dressed in camouflage opened fire on the Cuban patrol, injuring its commander. Cuban forces then returned fire, killing four and wounding six aboard the speedboat.

Cuba has alleged that those on the vessel were Cuban nationals living in the United States attempting to infiltrate the island for what it called terrorist purposes, and that weapons and tactical gear were recovered from the boat. Cuban authorities have identified several of the suspects and are continuing their investigation.

The United States government has stated that no U.S. government personnel were involved, and U.S. officials have called for independent inquiries into the shooting. Florida and federal law enforcement agencies have been asked to examine the incident to determine the identities and motives of those on board.