Republican Senator Rick Scott joined calls on Wednesday for an investigation following the armed confrontation in Cuban territorial waters that resulted in a preliminary count of four dead and seven wounded.
"We need a comprehensive investigation into this deeply concerning situation to determine what happened. The Cuban communist regime must be held accountable!" Scott stated on the social network X, supporting an earlier call by Congressman Carlos A. Giménez.
Official Cuban Account
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the incident occurred on the morning of February 25, 2026, when authorities detected a speedboat registered in Florida (FL7726SH) navigating roughly one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, in the Corralillo municipality of Villa Clara province.
The official report claims that a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops approached the vessel for identification, and allegedly, the boat opened fire on the Cuban forces.
During the crossfire, the commander of the Cuban boat was injured. The official report notes that four individuals aboard the speedboat were killed, and six others were wounded. These individuals were evacuated and provided with medical care.
Cuban authorities stated that investigations are ongoing and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting territorial waters and national sovereignty.
U.S. Reactions
Congressman Carlos Giménez called for an immediate investigation to determine if there were any U.S. citizens or legal residents among the victims.
Shortly thereafter, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the opening of a state investigation.
"I have directed the State Attorney's Office to work with our federal, state, and law enforcement partners to initiate an investigation," Uthmeier wrote on X, asserting that the Cuban government must be held accountable.
So far, the identities of the deceased have not been disclosed, nor have additional details about the circumstances leading the vessel into Cuban waters.
The incident could potentially escalate diplomatic tensions between Washington and Havana amid calls from U.S. political sectors to clarify what transpired.
Questions Regarding the Cuban Waters Incident
What sparked the demand for an investigation into the incident?
The demand for an investigation was sparked by an armed confrontation in Cuban territorial waters, which resulted in four deaths and seven injuries.
Who are some of the key figures calling for accountability?
Key figures calling for accountability include Senator Rick Scott, Congressman Carlos A. Giménez, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
What are the potential diplomatic implications of the incident?
The incident could lead to increased diplomatic tensions between the United States and Cuba, as there are ongoing calls from U.S. political circles to clarify the events.