The Incident Off Cuban Shores
On February 25, a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban territorial waters near Cayo Falcones and was engaged by Cuban maritime forces. Cuban officials say their patrol approached the vessel and that a firefight followed. Four people aboard the vessel were killed and six were wounded and evacuated for medical care. News organizations report the boat was linked to efforts to transport people to or from the island. This is a serious and deadly encounter that raises questions about how the United States and Cuba will sort out responsibility and next steps.
What Cuba Is Saying
The Cuban government issued a formal account saying the boat violated Cuban waters and that its Border Guard attempted to identify the vessel. Cuba claims the boat opened fire first and wounded a Cuban officer. Havana also said the passengers were Cuban nationals living in the United States and described the episode as an attempted infiltration. That is Cuba’s official version. It is worth noting that claims from any party in conflict need independent verification before they become accepted facts.
What U.S. Officials Are Saying
U.S. officials have acknowledged the vessel was registered in Florida and have said it was not a U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ship. Reports say the boat was part of a group trying to help relatives. The U.S. government is collecting information. At this stage investigators will need to establish who was aboard, why the boat was near Cuban shores, and whether deadly force was justified under international and Cuban law. Facts matter. The truth will determine any response.
Senator Rubio Responds
Senator Marco Rubio, speaking from the Caribbean, said he does not accept Cuba’s account at face value and pledged that the United States will investigate and respond appropriately once the facts are known. Rubio emphasized that Washington must determine exactly what happened before taking any steps. His comment reflects concern in Washington about both protecting U.S. citizens and holding hostile actors accountable when incidents cross into violence.
Note from the Ministry of the Interior:
On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters. The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile northeast of the… pic.twitter.com/AEmwtAZ4lO
— Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) February 25, 2026
What Comes Next
Expect diplomatic notes, intelligence checks, and possibly U.S. consular involvement if Americans or U.S. residents were harmed. The case will test how the Biden administration manages a crisis near a hostile government that has a long record of friction with the United States. Independent verification and a clear chain of evidence are necessary before any policy or punitive measures are pursued.
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