VILLA CLARA, CUBA — Cuban authorities say four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat were killed and six others injured after a gunfire exchange with the Cuban coast guard off the island’s northern coast.
According to a statement from Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the incident occurred after the vessel allegedly entered Cuban territorial waters near the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, located off the northern coastline of Villa Clara province in central Cuba.
Authorities Say Boat Was Detected Near El Pino Channel
Cuban officials described the vessel as “illegal” and said it was detected approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel.
The Interior Ministry stated that a Cuban coast guard vessel carrying five officers approached the speedboat to request identification and determine its status inside Cuban waters.
Gunfire Exchange Reported
According to Cuban authorities, the men aboard the Florida-registered speedboat opened fire as the coast guard attempted to conduct the identification check. Officials said the gunfire wounded the commander of the Cuban coast guard vessel.
The coast guard reportedly returned fire during the confrontation.
Cuban authorities claim that four individuals on the speedboat were killed in the exchange. Six others were reported injured. The identities of those involved have not been publicly released.
Location: Northern Coast of Central Cuba
The reported shootout took place in the waters off Villa Clara province, specifically near Cayo Falcones and the El Pino channel — an area along Cuba’s northern coastline in central Cuba.
No additional details were immediately available regarding how the speedboat traveled from Florida, how long it had been at sea, or the purpose of its presence in Cuban territorial waters.
Ongoing Investigation
Cuban officials have not provided further details about the condition of the injured individuals or the status of the coast guard commander who was reportedly wounded.
As of now, the account of events comes from Cuban authorities. U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the incident.
The case highlights the tensions that can arise when vessels cross into territorial waters and underscores the risks associated with maritime confrontations in disputed or sensitive zones.
More information is expected as authorities on both sides review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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