The Cuban Coast Guard ship. Archive photo Yamil Lage / AFP.
According to information provided by CNN and the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, the incident occurred when a boat registered in Florida entered Cuban territorial waters. Border forces opened fire after the vessel refused to comply and began shooting, injuring the commander of the Cuban boat.
Sequence of Events off the Coast of Cuba
Cuban authorities reported that the boat was spotted near Cayo Falcones, located in the Villa Clara province. After border guards attempted to take control of the vessel, gunfire erupted, resulting in the deaths of four people, while six were hospitalized with injuries. Information regarding the citizenship of the victims has not yet been confirmed.This incident occurred approximately 160 kilometers from Florida.
Response from the United States
American authorities have begun an investigation into the incident. Politicians from Florida are demanding to determine whether any U.S. citizens were among the injured or deceased, as well as to assess the legality of the use of force by Cuban border guards.According to CNN, the U.S. State Department has requested additional information from the Cuban side.
Cuban authorities noted that they continue the investigation and confirmed their intentions to defend their territorial waters and the sovereignty of the country.
