The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has chosen to hold off on making a judgment regarding a recent gunfight between the Cuban Coast Guard and a speedboat registered in the U.S. He described the incident as “extremely unusual” and emphasized the importance of the U.S. gathering more information before taking any steps.
During a press briefing on St. Kitt Wednesday, Rubio stated that the U.S. plans to “obtain our own information” to assess the situation accurately. He noted that while many outcomes are possible, he wouldn’t speculate on the scenarios just yet. “It’s not every day that you see an incident like this in open waters. It hasn’t been the norm in Cuba for quite a while,” he remarked, adding, “We’re determined to figure this out without jumping to conclusions based on initial reports.” He expressed confidence that a complete understanding of the event would emerge soon, which would guide an appropriate response.
A reporter inquired about the potential implications for Cuba if Americans were aboard the boat, but Rubio opted not to comment, indicating the need for further analysis.
Vice President J.D. Vance also addressed the media Wednesday, confirming he had received a briefing from Rubio. Vance acknowledged that details remain murky and that the situation is under close observation. “We hope it’s not as dire as it sounds, but, honestly, we just don’t know enough to draw any conclusions at this stage,” he stated.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry reported that its coast guard engaged in a gunfight with the U.S.-registered speedboat, resulting in four fatalities and six injuries. They alleged that the speedboat was transporting ten armed individuals, who reportedly had plans for an infiltration with terrorist objectives.
The Cuban embassy in the U.S. claimed that the speedboat’s crew had opened fire on their personnel and noted an injury to a member of the Cuban crew. In response to ongoing tensions, the embassy reiterated Cuba’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial waters as vital for maintaining national sovereignty and regional stability. They mentioned an ongoing investigation to clarify the incident.
In a broader context, the Cuban Interior Ministry stated that multiple weapons, including assault rifles and explosives, were found on the speedboat. They identified several of the individuals involved, including Amijail Sánchez González and others, with one among the deceased being Michel Ortega Casanova.
Additionally, it was reported that the 24-foot Pro-Line boat registered in Florida, number FL7726SH, is owned by a Miami-based individual who had reported it stolen after authorities contacted him about the situation. The vessel was confirmed to be docked at a Florida Keys marina.
