Cuban coast guard kills 4 in US-flagged speedboat
Deutsche Welle
February 26, 2026
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Cuban authorities reported that their coast guard killed four individuals and injured six others in an incident involving a US-flagged speedboat near Cayos Falcones, Villa Clara province. The Cuban Interior Ministry stated the boat fired at the coast guard, injuring the vessel's commander before being intercepted. The ministry emphasized its commitment to protecting territorial waters and provided no further details on the victims' identities or intentions.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the US, with the latter recently blocking Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba, a critical lifeline for its economy. Cuban officials have accused the US of using economic pressure to destabilize the island, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for dramatic changes in Cuba's political landscape. Rubio also revealed that US agencies are investigating whether any victims were American citizens or legal residents, raising questions about potential diplomatic fallout.
Carlos Gimenez, a Cuban-born Republican member of the US House, urged an immediate investigation into what he described as a "massacre," while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier directed state prosecutors to collaborate with federal partners on an inquiry. US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the situation but declined to provide further details, stating that conclusions would be based on evidence rather than Cuban accounts.
The incident has sparked concerns about regional stability and US-Cuba relations. As tensions rise, the outcome of this investigation could significantly impact the already strained relationship between the two nations and draw attention to Cuba's ongoing economic crisis exacerbated by US sanctions. The situation underscores the delicate balance of power dynamics in the Caribbean and Latin America, where historical animosities and contemporary policies continue to shape
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/26/2026