Cuban troops shot and killed four people who entered Cuban waters in a Florida-registered speedboat Wednesday in a dramatic gunfight just off the island’s coast.
Six other people on board were injured and are receiving medical treatment.
Cuban border guards approached the boat to check it after it entered Cuban territorial waters at Falcon’s Cay in the state of Villa Clara, the ministry said. Falcon’s Cay is only about 100 miles from Florida.
According to the statement, Cuban troops then opened fire on the boat, injuring the boat’s captain. Then the Border Patrol fired back.
The nationality of the person on the high-speed boat is unknown.
CNN has reached out to the US State Department for comment.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, as Washington has blocked nearly all oil shipments to the communist-run Cuba. Oil shortages have caused Cuba’s economy to collapse and the Caribbean nation is experiencing its worst period of economic uncertainty in decades.
According to maritime database records, the boat has registration number FL7726SH and is a 24-foot power boat built in 1981.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said: “Given the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its readiness to defend its territorial waters, based on the fact that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state to safeguard regional sovereignty and stability.”
Florida officials called for an investigation and for the Cuban government to be held accountable.
Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer said he has directed prosecutors’ offices across the state to assist federal, state and law enforcement agencies in launching investigations.
U.S. Republican Congressman Carlos A. Jimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, called for an investigation into the incident, saying it raised concerns about the use of deadly force against crew members on U.S.-registered vessels.
“U.S. authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what happened,” he said in a statement posted on X. “The Cuban regime must be consigned to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity.”
Republican Sen. Rick Scott, also from Florida, called the incident “very disturbing” and said the Cuban government “must be held accountable.”
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said authorities were investigating the incident.
