Shootout off coast leaves 4 touring on ‘Florida-registered’ speedboat useless, nationalities unknown – One America Information Community

[ad_1] <img decoding="async" width="800" height="534" src="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-2026-02-25T185227.595.png" alt="" class="wp-image-762738" srcset="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-2026-02-25T185227.595.png 800w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-2026-02-25T185227.595-400x267.png 400w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FOR-WEBSITE-ARTICLES-2026-02-25T185227.595-768x513.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/> (R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Picture by Jonathan Ernst / POOL / AFP by way of Getty Pictures)/ (Background) Cuban coast guard ships docked on the port of Havana on February 25, 2026. Cuba’s coast guard mentioned on February 25, 2026, it shot useless 4 individuals and wounded six others. (Picture by Adalberto ROQUE / AFP by way of Getty Pictures)

OAN Employees Brooke Mallory6:50 PM – Wednesday, February 25, 2026

A violent maritime confrontation on Wednesday morning has left 4 individuals useless and 6 others injured after a Florida-registered speedboat reportedly entered Cuban territorial waters and engaged in a shootout with border guard troops, Cuban officers introduced.

The incident, which occurred roughly one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones off Cuba’s northern coast within the Villa Clara province, marks a major escalation in regional tensions at a time when U.S.-Cuba relations are already strained.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the incident on Wednesday. Talking to reporters throughout a diplomatic occasion, Rubio emphasised warning and the necessity for a radical investigation reasonably than hypothesis, describing the shootout as “extremely uncommon.”

“It's extremely uncommon to see shootouts in open sea like that,” Rubio informed reporters. “We’re going to determine precisely what occurred.”

He additionally famous that the U.S. is conducting its personal unbiased probe, probably involving the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) and U.S. Coast Guard, to find out precisely what occurred, who was concerned, and the nationalities of these on board — which stay unclear, together with whether or not they have been U.S. residents or residents.

Moreover, Rubio additional burdened that the U.S. wouldn't rely solely on data from the Cuban authorities, and would “discover out precisely what occurred” earlier than responding.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks on Cuban navy firing on U.S. boat: "We'll discover out precisely what occurred right here after which we'll reply accordingly."

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— One America Information (@OANN) February 26, 2026

In accordance with an announcement launched by the Cuban Ministry of the Inside, the vessel — bearing Florida registration quantity FL7726SH — was detected early on Wednesday morning. When a Cuban border patrol unit carrying 5 officers approached to establish the boat, the occupants of the speedboat allegedly “opened hearth first.”

The Cuban authorities reported the next casualties:

Deceased: 4 people aboard the speedboat.

Injured: 6 people aboard the speedboat – at the moment receiving medical care in Cuba.

Cuban forces: 1 officer, the vessel’s commander, was wounded as effectively.

“Cuba reaffirms its willpower to guard its territorial waters,” the ministry acknowledged, describing the act as a “safeguarding of sovereignty” throughout a interval of “present challenges.”

Vice President JD Vance additionally confirmed that the White Home is monitoring the state of affairs, whereas Florida officers have been extra vocal.

Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier introduced a state-level investigation, asserting that “the Cuban authorities can't be trusted.” Moreover, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), who was born in Cuba, labeled the incident a purposeful “homicide.”

“The dictatorship in #Cuba has simply attacked a ship from Florida & murdered these on board. This regime should be relegated to the mud bin of historical past!” Gimenez declared.

I’ve directed the Workplace of Statewide Prosecution to work with our federal, state, and legislation enforcement companions to start an investigation.

The Cuban authorities can't be trusted, and we are going to do every little thing in our energy to carry these communists accountable. https://t.co/IYiWTbtV7o

— Lawyer Common James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) February 25, 2026

The shootout happens in opposition to a backdrop of intense friction. For the reason that begin of 2026, the Trump administration has maintained a “digital oil siege” on the island following the U.S.-led operation that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally.

Whereas the precise nature of the speedboat’s mission stays unknown, consultants and native officers have recommended a number of potentialities:

Migrant smuggling: A standard prevalence within the Florida Straits, although not often involving such heavy gunfire.

“Freedom flotilla”: Some analysts recommend the presence of ten individuals on a 24-foot boat might point out an try by exiles to intervene or recruit on the island.

Household rescue: Unconfirmed experiences talked about by some U.S. officers recommend the boat could have been trying to choose up family.

Investigations by each Cuban authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard are ongoing. The identities and nationalities of the deceased haven't but been formally launched.