Four Dead in Cuba Speedboat Gunfight

Cuba’s coast guard shot dead four people and injured six others during a gunfight with a U.S.-registered speedboat near the Cuban coast on Wednesday (February 25, 2026), according to the country’s Interior Ministry in Havana.

Officials said the incident happened when Cuban authorities intercepted the speedboat in waters close to the shore. An exchange of gunfire reportedly followed between the coast guard and those on board the vessel. After the confrontation, four people were confirmed dead and six others were injured. The injured were taken for medical treatment. Authorities did not immediately release further details about their condition.

The Interior Ministry said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. It has not yet been made clear why the speedboat was near Cuban waters or what led to the exchange of fire.

The incident comes at a time of rising tensions between United States and Cuba. The two countries, separated by about 100 miles (160 kilometers) across the Florida Straits, have had a strained relationship for decades. Recent political developments have further increased diplomatic pressure between them.

Observers say the shooting could add to the already fragile ties between the two nations. Officials from both sides are expected to closely monitor the situation as more details emerge.