Fatal Shooting on US Speedboat in Cuban Waters Sparks Diplomatic Outcry
Havana, Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Cuban border guards killed four aboard a US-registered vessel following an alleged firefight. The incident, coinciding with a sensitive historical anniversary, has triggered immediate diplomatic friction and demands for accountability.
Deadly Confrontation in the Florida Straits
The lethal exchange occurred on Wednesday, February 25, when a speedboat bearing the registration number FL7726SH entered Cuban territorial waters near Cayo Falcones in the Villa Clara province [1][2]. According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, the vessel refused orders to stop and opened fire on a coast guard interceptor, wounding the commander of the Cuban unit [1][2][4]. In the ensuing firefight, border troops returned fire, killing four of the speedboat’s occupants and injuring six others [1][3]. The Cuban government, which identified the location near the El Pino channel north of Corralillo, has launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the breach, claiming the vessel was present in their waters illegally [2][5].
Immediate Political Fallout in Florida
The incident has provoked a swift and severe response from Florida officials, threatening to destabilize the already fragile relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Representative Carlos A. Gimenez characterized the event as a “massacre” and has called for an immediate inquiry to determine if any of the victims were United States citizens or legal residents [1][2]. Concurrently, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to open an investigation, asserting that the “Cuban government cannot be trusted” and vowing to hold the regime accountable for the deaths [1][2]. Senator Rick Scott amplified these sentiments, demanding a full investigation and insisting that the “Communist Cuban regime must be held accountable” [1].
Historical Context and Diplomatic Strain
The timing of this violence is analytically significant, occurring in the immediate wake of the 30th anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown [1]. On February 23, 1996, Cuban military jets downed two planes belonging to the humanitarian group, killing four people—an event commemorated by Cuban-American groups in Miami just two days prior to this new maritime clash [1][2]. Jose Basulto, leader of the organization, noted the current geopolitical climate, suggesting it is the “right time to take action” against the Cuban government [2]. This historical friction is compounded by current economic pressures; the Trump administration has reportedly halted oil shipments to Cuba and threatened tariffs on nations supplying the island, although recent policy shifts may allow American companies to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector [2].
Diplomatic Silence and Regional Movements
As of the initial reports surrounding the incident, the U.S. federal government had not yet formally addressed the shooting [2]. The diplomatic landscape is further complicated by the absence of key officials; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reported to be in Saint Kitts and Nevis on a diplomatic mission to meet with Caribbean leaders as the crisis unfolded [1][2]. With Florida lawmakers demanding answers and the Cuban government asserting its sovereignty over the maritime border, the incident presents a volatile test for current U.S.-Cuba relations.