Cuba claims passengers on US-registered boat began firefight with soldiers that left four dead

Cuba's government has claimed passengers on a US-registered boat began a firefight with its soldiers that left four people on the boat dead.

An official announcement from Cuban officials claimed 10 passengers on the boat were Cuban residents who lived in Florida, and that they had "a known history of criminal and violent activity".

It identified two of them as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities "based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organisation, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism."

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The government said it had also arrested Duniel Hernández Santos, adding that he was "sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions."

The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to find out "exactly what happened" after the shootout between the people on the American boat and Cuban forces.

Rubio said the US embassy in Havana was working to get access to other people who were aboard the vessel to determine whether they are American citizens or permanent residents.

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"As we gather more information, we will be prepared to respond accordingly," Rubio said.

"We're going to figure out exactly what happened."

Asked if it was possible the boat had been assisting in an escape attempt from Cuba, Rubio said it would be "irresponsible" to speculate but confirmed such an act would violate federal US law.

US Vice President JD Vance said the White House was "monitoring" the situation but details are still scarce.

"(It is) certainly, you know, a situation that we're monitoring, hopefully it's not as bad we fear it could be. But (I) can't say more, because I just don't know more," Vance said during an unrelated event at the White House.

Six other people aboard the vessel were injured and are receiving medical attention.

Cuban officials have identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Cuba's government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. Three others have not yet been identified.

"The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified," the ministry said in a statement.

Cuban border guard troops approached the boat to identify it after it entered Cuban territorial waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara Province, the ministry said.

The Cuban forces were then shot at by someone from the boat, injuring the commander of the Cuban boat, the statement said. The border guards then returned fire.

The nationalities of those aboard the speedboat are unknown.

Falcones Cay is just over 160km from Florida.

The boat, with registration number FL7726SH, is a 24-foot (7.3m) power boat that was manufactured in 1981, according to maritime database records.

"In light of the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its willingness to protect its territorial waters, based on the fact that national defence is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in favour of protecting its sovereignty and stability in the region," the Cuban interior ministry said.

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Local officials demand action

Florida Republican Congressman Carlos A Gimenez said the incident raised concerns about the use of lethal force against people aboard a US-registered vessel and called for an investigation.

"United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were US citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred," he said in a statement posted to X.

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"The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity."

Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott also called for a full investigation into what he dubbed a "deeply concerning" situation.

"The Communist Cuban regime must be held accountable," he said.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

"The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable," he said.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba as Washington has blocked virtually all oil shipments from reaching the communist-run island.

Trump recently predicted the Cuban government would fall, with concerns its people will soon run out of fuel after the US kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The subsequent oil shortage has brought Cuba's economy to its knees, with the Caribbean nation experiencing its worst era of economic uncertainty in decades.

– with Associated Press and CNN

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