Cuban coast guard kills four in exchange of fire with US-registered boat

Cuba's coast guard shot dead four people and wounded six others aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat in an exchange of gunfire off the island's coast, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

In a statement, the ministry said a Cuban patrol vessel had approached the Florida-registered boat to identify those on board when shots were fired from the boat, wounding the captain of the Cuban craft.

According to Havana's statement, the boat - registered in Florida with number FL7726SH - was detected within Cuban territorial waters Wednesday morning on the northeast side of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province. 

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Cuban border troops moved in to inspect the vessel, but the "crew of the violating speedboat opened fire," prompting return fire from Cuban forces.

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"As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured," the ministry said, adding that the injured were evacuated and are receiving medical care. 

"In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region."

It also said investigations are ongoing to fully clarify the events.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced on X that he had directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to start an investigation.

In his statement, Uthmeier said the Cuban government "cannot be trusted" and vowed that his office would "do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable."

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The incident happened while Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in the Caribbean for a summit of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, in Saint Kitts and Nevis. 

Rubio is meeting regional leaders for closed-door talks on security, economic cooperation and shared concerns about U.S. policies in the hemisphere.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.