STORY: Cuban forces killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that entered Cuban waters on Wednesday (February 25) and opened fire on a Cuban patrol, the Cuban government said at a time of heightened tensions with the United States.

Cuba's Interior Ministry said the group was comprised of anti-government Cubans, some of whom were previously wanted in Cuba. It said the group came from the United States armed with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights.

An additional Cuban suspect was detained inside Cuban territory in connection with the plot, the statement said.

"According to preliminary statements from the detainees, they intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," the Interior Ministry said in an official statement.

The wounded were evacuated and receiving medical attention, while the Cuban patrol commander was also wounded, the ministry said.

The incident took place as the United States has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government.

Cuba said it identified the six detainees from the boat, two of whom were previously wanted in Cuba on suspicion of planning terrorist acts against Cuba: Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez.

In addition, Cuba said it detained another Cuban man in Cuban territory who had come from the United States to the island in order to receive the infiltrators.

One of the dead was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, while the other three dead had yet to be identified, Cuba said.

The speedboat came within one nautical mile of a channel on Falcones Cay, on the north coast of Cuba about 200 km (120 miles) east of Havana, when it was approached by five members of a Cuban border patrol unit, Cuba said.

The speedboat then opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel, the statement said.

Cuba said the speedboat was registered in Florida with the number FL7726SH.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITE FROM CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV ANCHORS, YISEL FILIU AND REY GOMEZ

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY

SHOWS: HAVANA, CUBA (FEBRUARY 25, 2026) (CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, YISEL FILIU, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"As a continuation of the investigative process, it specifies that it has been established that the neutralized speedboat, with Florida registration FL7726SH, was transporting 10 armed people who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, REY GOMEZ, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"Assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosive devices, molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms were seized."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, YISEL FILIU, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"Among the detained participants, according to preliminary interrogations, the following were identified: Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez; Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez; Conrado Galindo Sariol; Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello; Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara; and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, REY GOMEZ, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"Among the deceased, Michel Ortega Casanova was identified. Work is being done to identify the other three."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, YISEL FILIU, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"All participants are Cubans residing in the United States. Most of them with a known history of criminal and violent activity, including Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gamez who appear on the National List of persons and entities that, under Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council, international law and the Cuban legal system, have been subjected to criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities, based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism."

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, REY GOMEZ, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"In addition, the citizen Duniel Hernandez Santos, sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, was detained in the national territory, who, at this moment, has confessed to his actions."

12. WHITE FLASH

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GOVERNMENT TV NEWS ANCHOR, YISEL FILIU, READING OFFICIAL STATEMENT, SAYING:

"The investigation process continues until the complete clarification of the facts. The note is signed by the Ministry of the Interior."