Cuban forces killed four Cuban-American exiles and wounded six others after their US-registered speedboat attacked a Cuban patrol vessel off the island's coast. The confrontation represents a rare instance of direct armed conflict between Cuban military forces and US-based exile groups. Cuban authorities said the incident occurred when the attackers sailed into territorial waters and opened fire first.
The passengers aboard the Florida-registered speedboat were Cuban nationals living in the United States who attempted what Cuban officials called an "infiltration for terrorist purposes." Cuban government statements described the group as "heavily armed exiles" who launched their assault from American waters. The speedboat had departed from Florida before crossing into Cuban maritime territory.
Such direct armed confrontations between Cuban forces and exile groups operating from US soil have become increasingly uncommon since the Cold War era. During the 1960s and 1970s, similar maritime attacks and infiltration attempts occurred regularly as part of broader US-backed efforts to destabilize the Castro government. Most recent disputes between the two countries have remained limited to diplomatic and economic spheres.
The maritime clash occurred amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, with the US maintaining its decades-long oil embargo against the island nation. The Biden administration has largely continued restrictive policies toward Cuba despite early campaign promises to ease relations. Recent months have seen increased rhetoric from both sides over trade restrictions and human rights issues.
The incident raises immediate questions about potential diplomatic fallout and whether Washington will face pressure to investigate how the armed group operated from US territory. Cuban authorities have not indicated whether they plan to pursue formal complaints through diplomatic channels. The confrontation could complicate any future efforts to normalize relations between the neighboring countries.