HAVANA, Feb. 26 — Cuban authorities said they foiled what they described as an armed infiltration attempt after a Florida-registered speedboat opened fire on a patrol vessel of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior in Cuban territorial waters, injuring one officer and leaving four suspected attackers dead.
In a statement, the Ministry of the Interior said the incident occurred on the morning of February 25 near the El Pino channel, northeast of Cayo Falcones in Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province.
Authorities said a speedboat bearing Florida registration number FL7726SH had entered Cuban waters and approached to within one nautical mile of the coast. When a patrol unit carrying five service members moved to identify the vessel, those aboard allegedly opened fire, wounding the Cuban vessel’s commander.
Cuban officials said that during the ensuing confrontation, four of the alleged assailants were killed and six others injured. The injured were evacuated and received medical attention.
In a subsequent update, authorities said the intercepted vessel was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from detainees, intended to carry out what officials described as a “terrorist infiltration.”
Weapons and equipment seized included assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, body armor, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.
Six detainees were identified by authorities, who said all participants were Cuban nationals residing in the United States. One additional Cuban national, allegedly tasked with facilitating the group’s landing, was arrested within Cuban territory.
Officials further stated that two of the detainees appear on Cuba’s national list of individuals designated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and Cuban domestic counterterrorism legislation. The investigation remains ongoing.
Havana reiterated that national defense remains “a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State” in safeguarding sovereignty and regional stability.
There was no immediate comment from U.S. authorities.
The incident marks one of the most serious reported maritime confrontations between Cuban security forces and armed actors in recent years and could raise fresh diplomatic tensions between Havana and Washington.
