A speedboat departing from Florida intercepted in Cuban waters: firefight, victims and accusations of terrorism. The United States opens an investigation and the diplomatic clash risks worsening.
A fast boat with a US license plate was the scene of a violent armed confrontation off the central-northern coast of Cuba. The toll, according to what was communicated by the island’s Ministry of the Interior, is four people killed and six injured after the intervention of the Cuban maritime authorities who intercepted the vessel while, according to the official version, it was attempting to illegally enter territorial waters.
The motorboat, registered in the State of Florida, was blocked near Cayo Falcones, in the province of Villa Clara. As he writes Wall Street Journalauthorities in Havana claim that the crew opened fire on the border patrol when it approached for a check. The commander of the Cuban unit involved in the operation was also injured in the firefight.
The Cuban government’s version
According to the reconstruction released by the government, on board there were Cuban citizens residing in the United States, suspected of wanting to carry out an infiltration action with terrorist purposes. The statement speaks of an arsenal composed of automatic weapons, rudimentary explosives, ballistic vests, long-distance optical instruments and military clothing.
The six survivors were transported to health facilities for treatment. The authorities say they have identified seven members of the group and are working to ascertain the identity of the other three. In a note released through the Cuban embassy in Washington, the Ministry reiterated the State’s desire to defend its maritime sovereignty, defining the protection of territorial waters as a central element of national security and regional stability.
The reaction of the United States
From the United States the reaction was immediate. The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, announced the opening of an investigation in coordination with federal and state authorities, declaring that he does not believe the version provided by the Cuban government to be reliable and promising to pursue any liability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke on the matter, explaining that various American agencies are verifying the available information. Rubio, engaged in a summit with Caribbean leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis, underlined Washington’s interest in having access to survivors if they were citizens or residents of the United States.
The political climate: sanctions and mutual accusations
The episode takes place in a context of strong diplomatic tension. In recent weeks, Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up measures to prevent fuel from arriving on the island. In a message published on January 11, the president urged an agreement “before it is too late”, announcing a halt to oil supplies and financial flows to Cuba. Subsequently, an executive order classified the Cuban government as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded by declaring himself open to dialogue with Washington, but ruled out any political surrender.
The shooting also comes close to the thirtieth anniversary of the shooting down of two civilian aircraft of the Brothers to the Rescue organisation, an episode which cost the lives of four people and which continues to weigh on relations between the two countries. In recent days, Florida politicians and Republican Senator Ashley Moody have called for the indictment of former President Raúl Castro for those facts. Republican congressman Carlos Gimenez spoke openly of aggression, arguing that the Cuban regime should be handed over to the judgment of history.
Risk of escalation in the Strait of Florida
A new chapter, therefore, in a bilateral relationship marked by decades of mistrust, sanctions and incidents which periodically reignite the clash between the two shores of the Strait of Florida. The episode risks turning into something more than a serious border incident.
With four deaths, citizens linked to the United States and a version of events contested by Florida politicians and Washington, the internal pressure on the American administration is destined to grow. If the checks reveal direct responsibilities on the part of the Cuban authorities that are deemed disproportionate or unjustified, a US response on a diplomatic, economic or even military level cannot be ruled out.
In a climate already marked by sanctions, executive orders and mutual accusations, the shooting in Cuban waters could therefore trigger a new phase of confrontation between the two countries, with the real risk of American hardening in the coming weeks.
