At least 1 U.S. citizen killed in Cuba boat incident, another injured
At least one U.S. citizen was killed and another was injured in the confrontation between Cuban authorities and a Florida-linked speedboat, according to media reports. The clash left four people dead and six others wounded in Cuban waters.
The incident occurred Wednesday morning about one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province, on Cuba’s north-central coast. Cuban authorities have said their border guards approached the 24-foot vessel after it entered Cuban territorial waters and that shots were fired, wounding the commander of the Cuban unit.
Cuban authorities said they returned fire, killing four people aboard the boat and injuring six others. They have not released independent evidence supporting that account.
Two U.S. officials told NBC News that at least one of those killed was an American citizen and that another U.S. citizen was among the injured. The officials said other passengers may be U.S. legal permanent residents.
A third person aboard the boat was in the United States on a K-1 visa, which allows a foreign national to enter the country to marry a U.S. citizen, NBC and Axios reported.
Axios reported that the vessel had been stolen from the Florida Keys. A U.S. official told the outlet the boat’s owner reported it stolen by an employee.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is investigating the incident and has formally requested access from Cuba to the six injured individuals, a U.S. official told Axios. The official said at least one injured American is receiving medical care in Cuba.
Family members, friends and associates who spoke to NBC News and Telemundo said the U.S.-based Cubans involved were known opponents of the Cuban government. Two sources close to one of the detained men told NBC that at least some of those aboard were affiliated with a paramilitary group opposed to Havana.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry previously said the Florida-registered boat was carrying 10 armed individuals and alleged they intended to carry out a “terrorist infiltration.” Cuban authorities allegedly seized rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices and tactical gear.
On Thursday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country would “defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability.”
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
