Overview
- Cuba’s Interior Ministry says border troops approached a speedboat near Cayo Falcones on Feb. 25 and the boat opened fire, wounding the Cuban commander, before forces returned fire.
- Havana alleges the 10 aboard were Cuban residents in the U.S. carrying rifles, handguns, improvised explosives, ballistic vests and camouflage, and that they intended to “infiltrate” for terrorist actions.
- The White House told CBS News there were U.S. citizens on the vessel and that at least one of the dead was American, and the U.S. Embassy has sought access to the wounded detainees.
- U.S. federal and Florida authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, have opened investigations, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the boat was not part of a U.S. operation.
- Florida records indicate the 24‑foot Pro‑Line with registration FL7726SH was reported stolen from Big Pine Key by its owner, according to the Monroe County Sheriff.