In a tense maritime encounter on February 25, 2026, Cuban border troops killed four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat after the vessel’s occupants allegedly opened fire on them. The incident occurred near Cayo Falcones in Cuba’s Villa Clara province, where the boat had entered Cuban territorial waters.
According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, a border guard vessel approached the speedboat, identified by Florida registration FL7726SH, for routine identification. The boat’s crew fired first, injuring the Cuban commander. In response, Cuban forces returned fire, resulting in four deaths and six injuries among the boat’s occupants. The wounded received medical care, and no Cuban fatalities were reported.
The purpose of the boat’s presence remains unclear, though initial U.S. reports suggested it might have been involved in evacuating relatives from Cuba. Nationalities of those aboard have not been confirmed, and it is unknown if any were U.S. citizens.
Cuba has launched an investigation, affirming its right to defend territorial waters amid ongoing economic strains exacerbated by U.S. policies. The U.S. government, including the White House and State Department, has not issued an official response yet. However, Florida officials reacted strongly. Representative Carlos Gimenez called it a “massacre” and demanded a probe. Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered a state investigation, and Senator Rick Scott urged accountability for the Cuban regime. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz expressed concern over the Trump administration’s silence.
This event unfolds against heightened U.S.-Cuba tensions, including U.S. oil blockades, and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown. Investigations continue as both nations navigate this diplomatic flashpoint.
