An officer from the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior sustained an abdominal injury during a clash with a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday off the northern coast of Villa Clara, according to the Cuban authorities' account.
In a national television appearance, First Colonel Ybey Carballo Pérez, head of the General Staff of the Border Guard Troops Directorate, reported that the captain of the Cuban interceptor boat was hit by gunfire from the vessel they intercepted.
The injured officer, identified as Captain Yosmany, was struck in the abdomen while steering the unit.
According to the official account, the aggression occurred when the border guard boat approached approximately 185 meters to identify and persuade the vessel, which Havana claims was illegally navigating Cuban territorial waters.
Carballo Pérez emphasized that the protocol dictates firearms are not used as a first response and are only employed when there is a direct assault.
Following the shooting that wounded the captain, the four other crew members of the Cuban unit returned fire using their standard-issued weapons.
The military chief stated that the intercepted boat was carrying ten individuals, and as a result of the gunfire exchange, several occupants were killed or injured.
He also highlighted that the wounded officer did not leave the helm despite the seriousness of his injury and continued maneuvering until the vessel was subdued.
According to the official statement, after the confrontation, the injured were evacuated to land for transport to medical facilities.
Cuban authorities maintain that their actions were defensive and proportionate, yet the incident has sparked diplomatic tensions as among the casualties were American citizens and legal residents of the United States.
Details on the Cuban Boat Incident
What triggered the confrontation with the Florida speedboat?
The confrontation began when the Cuban border guard boat approached the Florida-registered speedboat to identify and persuade it, as it was allegedly navigating illegally in Cuban territorial waters.
How did the Cuban crew respond to the attack?
The Cuban crew returned fire after the captain was shot, using their standard-issue weapons as part of their defensive response.
What were the consequences of the gunfire exchange?
The exchange of gunfire resulted in several occupants of the intercepted boat being killed or injured, escalating tensions between the involved parties.