US Citizen Killed in Cuban Coast Guard Shooting During Speedboat Interception

Washington D.C. -- At least one American citizen was killed after Cuban authorities opened fire while attempting to intercept a speeding boat near Cuba's maritime border. Several other individuals were injured in the incident that occurred on Wednesday.

US officials confirmed that four people died and the remaining six were injured among the ten aboard the boat, which was registered in Florida. One of the injured is reportedly the fiancée of the deceased American citizen.

The Cuban government has labeled this incident an attempted terrorist infiltration. According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, the boat had entered one nautical mile inside Cuba's northern coast.

According to Cuba's claim, the individuals on the boat fired first, and a Cuban commander was also injured in the ensuing crossfire. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that they will firmly stand against any attack by terrorists or mercenaries that undermines the sovereignty and stability of their country.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the incident 'extremely unusual' and stated that Washington is conducting a serious investigation into the matter. He clarified that the US government or security forces had no involvement in this operation. Meanwhile, Cuban officials claim that all 10 people on the boat were Cuban citizens residing in the US, and most of them have criminal records. Cuba also reported that handguns, assault rifles, and explosives were recovered from the scene.

This incident occurs at a time when relations between the US and Cuba are highly tense. The distance between the two countries widened further about two months ago after the US military detained Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, considered a close ally of Cuba.

US President Donald Trump has been warning Cuba to either 'make a deal or face the consequences.' Especially due to US sanctions on oil supplies from Venezuela to Cuba, the island nation is facing an extreme fuel shortage.

Interestingly, on the very day this violent incident occurred, the US Treasury Department announced the easing of some restrictions on small private businesses and oil sales aimed at providing humanitarian aid to the Cuban people. However, this bloody incident at sea has pushed the relationship, which was attempting to improve, back into uncertainty.

Thirty years ago, Cuba shot down two small American planes, resulting in four deaths, which caused a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

BBC