(C) The Hill
HAVANA / WASHINGTON D.C. — A violent maritime confrontation between the Cuban Coast Guard and a Florida-registered speedboat has left four people dead and six others wounded, sparking a diplomatic firestorm between Washington and Havana. U.S. officials confirmed Thursday that at least two of those on board were American citizens, including one of the deceased.
The Midnight Skirmish
According to reports from CNN and the BBC, the incident occurred early Wednesday morning near Cayo Falcones, an island off the coast of Villa Clara province. The Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) stated that their border guard units approached the vessel—a 24-foot powerboat—after it illegally entered Cuban territorial waters.
Havana alleges that the occupants of the speedboat initiated the violence. "The crew of the violating vessel opened fire first, wounding the commander of our patrol boat," the ministry said in a statement. Cuban forces returned fire, resulting in the high casualty count. Among the ten individuals on board, four were killed and six were injured.
Identity of the Crew
The U.S. State Department has been working to verify the identities of the passengers. A senior U.S. official confirmed that one U.S. citizen was killed and another was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment in Cuba.
Details regarding the remaining eight passengers are still emerging:
One individual is reportedly in the U.S. on a K-1 (fiancé) visa.
The others are believed to be legal permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States.
Cuban authorities identified several suspects, including Michel Ortega Casanova, who was among the dead.
Survivors identified by Havana include Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, both of whom were reportedly on Cuba's "wanted" list for prior criminal activities.
"Terrorist Infiltration" or Rogue Theft?
The Cuban government has wastefully labeled the mission a "terrorist infiltration." Officials claim to have seized a cache of tactical gear from the boat, including assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, and night-vision goggles. Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister, emphasized that the passengers were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S. with "extensive criminal records."
However, investigation results from the Florida side suggest a more chaotic origin. The vessel (Registration FL7726SH) was reported stolen from Big Pine Key on the day of the incident. The owner, Angel Walter Montera, told the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office that the boat had been taken without permission by Hector Correa, a Cuban contractor hired for tile work. Correa’s truck was found abandoned at the pier, and he is now identified among the deceased.
Diplomatic Fallout
The timing of the clash is particularly sensitive. Tensions have simmered since early 2026, following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and a subsequent oil blockade on the island.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from a summit in St. Kitts, took a firm stance. While distancing the federal government from the boat's mission, he warned that the U.S. would not take Havana’s word at face value.
"This is a highly unusual and grave incident," Rubio stated. "We are conducting our own independent investigation and will not rely solely on the information provided by the Cuban regime."
While President Trump suggested the possibility of a "friendly takeover" of the economically struggling island in unrelated remarks, the State Department remains focused on gaining consular access to the detained survivors.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, a third party—a Cuban national named Duniel Hernandez Santos—has been arrested within Cuba, accused of waiting on land to facilitate the group’s arrival. He has reportedly "confessed" to his role in the plot.
The incident leaves many questions unanswered: Was this a coordinated paramilitary attempt by exiles, or a desperate, ill-equipped criminal venture? As the six survivors remain in a heavily guarded hospital in Santa Clara, the world watches to see if this maritime tragedy will become the spark for a larger conflict.
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