Cuba says willing to share information with US about boat clash

Cuba says willing to share information with US about boat clash

Cuba Offers to Share Information with U.S. on Deadly Speedboat Clash

Cuba’s government has stated it is prepared to share information with U.S. authorities regarding a fatal clash between Cuban border guards and a U.S.-registered speedboat in Cuban territorial waters. The incident, which resulted in four deaths and six injuries, has intensified scrutiny over U.S.-Cuba relations amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, the Florida-registered vessel entered Cuban waters near Villa Clara province on February 25, prompting a border guard patrol to approach for identification. The Cuban statement claimed the speedboat’s occupants opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander and prompting a defensive response that killed four individuals and injured six others. The ministry emphasized it is cooperating with U.S. investigators but reiterated its stance that the vessel’s actions constituted an "armed infiltration".

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the U.S. is conducting an independent investigation, stating, "We will make determinations based on the facts," while declining to confirm U.S. government involvement in the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard has dispatched personnel to the area, and Florida lawmakers, including Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Rep. María Elvira Salazar, have demanded transparency, calling for probes into potential U.S. citizen involvement and Cuban government accountability.

The clash has reignited debates over U.S. policies toward Cuba, particularly after the Trump administration’s recent measures to block Venezuelan oil shipments to the island, exacerbating Cuba’s fuel crisis. While the U.S. Treasury recently eased some restrictions on private-sector transactions with Cuba, including oil sales, critics argue these steps fall short of addressing the humanitarian impact.

Cuba’s government has identified one deceased individual, Michel Ortega Casanova, and six detained suspects, some of whom are reportedly linked to anti-Cuban groups in the U.S. Meanwhile, Florida’s attorney general has ordered a state-level investigation, citing distrust in Cuban authorities.

As both nations navigate the fallout, the incident underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Cuba relations and the potential for further diplomatic friction. The U.S. has not yet confirmed whether it will accept Cuba’s offer to share information, with officials emphasizing the need for independent verification.

This article is based on publicly available information as of February 26, 2026.