Cuban government says 4 killed in confrontation with boat registered in Florida

Four people were killed and seven were injured in a confrontation involving people on a boat registered in Florida and Cuban Border Guard Troops on Wednesday, the Cuban government said.

The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cuba said the boat registered in Florida approached to within a nautical mile of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, municipality of Corralillo, Villa Clara province.

Border Guard Troops approached and the crew of the boat opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel, the government agency said.

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

Four people on the boat were killed and six were injured as a result of the confrontation, the agency said.

The people injured were “evacuated and received medical assistance,” the government said.

The registration number for the boat given by the Cuban government showed it was a 24-foot center console fishing vessel.

South Florida Congressman Rep. Carlos Gimenez reacted to the news on X.

“The dictatorship in #Cuba has just attacked a boat from Florida & murdered those on board. This regime must be relegated to the dustbin of history!” Gimenez posted.

🚨#SOSCuba ¡La dictadura en #Cuba acaba de atacar un buque de la Florida y ha asesinado a las personas abordo!

The dictatorship in #Cuba has just attacked a boat from Florida & murdered those on board.

This regime must be relegated to the dust bin of history! pic.twitter.com/dBqM9waOMy

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) February 25, 2026

In a statement, Gimenez later called for an investigation into the incident.

“I am calling for an immediate investigation into this massacre. United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred,” Gimenez said.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he was launching a state investigation.

“I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with our federal, state, and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation. The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable,” Uthmeier posted on X.

I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with our federal, state, and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation.

The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable. https://t.co/IYiWTbtV7o

— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) February 25, 2026

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