politics

February 27, 2026

FACTBOX: What we know about incident with US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, four people aboard the Florida-based speedboat were killed, and another six were injured

FACTBOX: What we know about incident with US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters

TL;DR

  • A US-registered speedboat entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire on a Cuban border patrol boat.
  • Four people on the speedboat were killed, and six were injured.
  • The commander of the Cuban border patrol boat was also injured.
  • Six detainees and one deceased individual were identified on the US-registered vessel; all armed men were Cuban nationals residing in the US.
  • Assault rifles, pistols, improvised explosive devices, body armor, scopes, and camouflage uniforms were seized.
  • An accomplice, Duniel Hernandez Santos, was detained in Cuba and admitted to facilitating the incursion.
  • The detainees confessed to planning the armed incursion with terrorist motives.
  • The US speedboat was not a US Navy or Coast Guard vessel.
  • US Representatives Carlos Gimenez and Maria Elvira Salazar have called for investigations and more details.
  • The US administration does not view the incident as particularly serious, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the US was not involved and will conduct an independent review.
  • The United Nations is seeking more details.
  • Russia described the incident as an 'aggressive US provocation'.

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