US Citizen Among Four Killed in Cuban Speedboat Shootout Amid Rising Tensions

Cuban authorities fatally shot four people, including a US citizen, on a Florida-registered speedboat attempting to enter Cuban waters on Wednesday, authorities confirmed. The vessel carried ten passengers, two of whom were US citizens. The second US citizen was wounded and is receiving medical care in Cuba.

The incident has prompted investigations by both Cuba and the United States, heightening diplomatic and security tensions between the two nations.

How the Shootout Unfolded

Cuba’s Interior Ministry stated that the speedboat entered territorial waters near Falcones Cay in Villa Clara province, just over 100 miles from Florida. Cuban border guards approached the vessel, prompting a passenger to fire at the patrol craft, wounding its commander. Cuban forces returned fire, killing four and wounding six others. Survivors are in custody and receiving treatment.

Officials claimed the passengers were Cuban residents of the US armed with assault rifles, handguns, and Molotov cocktails, intending to carry out an “infiltration for terrorist purposes.” Another individual allegedly sent from the US to facilitate the operation was arrested and reportedly confessed, according to Cuban authorities.

The boat, registered as FL7726SH, is a 24-foot powerboat built in 1981. Cuban authorities say it was stolen in the Florida Keys on Wednesday night, with Hector Correa, a Cuban man employed by the boat’s owner, later identified as one of those killed.

Who Was Involved?

Among the passengers were US citizens, one holding a K-1 fiancé visa, and possibly other US legal permanent residents. Two of the survivors were reportedly wanted in Cuba for terrorism-related activities.

Some passengers had posted online content indicating plans for imminent anti-government action. Cuban authorities identified individuals including Pavel Alling Peña, a writer from Camagüey, and Conrado Galindo Sariol, whose son had been imprisoned for anti-government protests in 2021.

Experts suggest the incident reflects a longstanding history of clandestine Cuban exile activities, dating back decades, though the groups involved appear to be fringe organizations with limited connections to mainstream Cuban-American political leaders.

Cuba-US Tensions Escalate

The shootout underscores growing security concerns in the Caribbean, particularly as US-Cuba relations remain fragile. Both governments have launched investigations to determine the full scope of the incident and the intentions behind the attempted infiltration.