Havana says four gunmen killed on US speedboat were trying to 'infiltrate' Cuba
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 26, 2026
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Cuba reported on Thursday that its coastguard intercepted and engaged with a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 individuals, whom they claim were attempting to infiltrate the country for terrorist purposes. During the clash near Cuba's northern coast, four people were killed, six were injured, and authorities found assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, and other military gear on the vessel. Cuban officials stated that most of those on board had criminal records in Cuba, while one man was arrested on Cuban soil and confessed to participating in the operation.
The incident occurred as tensions between Cuba and the United States remain high following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S.-backed forces. Florida’s attorney general has ordered an investigation into the killings, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington would seek its own facts and respond accordingly to the situation. This incident adds another layer of strain to already delicate U.S.-Cuba relations.
The speedboat, registered as FL7726SH, was described by Cuban authorities as “illegal” and carrying individuals with ties to criminal activity in Cuba. The boat’s crew allegedly included Cubans living in the United States, many of whom may have been involved in people-smuggling or drug trafficking. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Cuba faces regarding illegal crossings into its territorial waters.
The clash also comes amid a broader context of U.S.-Cuba tensions, including Washington’s recent oil restrictions against Venezuela, which had previously supplied half of Cuba’s fuel needs. With Caribbean leaders expressing concerns about the humanitarian impact of these measures, the U.S. has allowed limited Venezuelan oil shipments for “commercial and humanitarian use.”
This incident underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Cuba relations and the broader regional instability caused by migration
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/26/2026