Cuban Guards Kill Four in Speedboat Border Clash

Cuban border guards killed four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday morning after the vessel entered territorial waters off the central province of Villa Clara and its crew opened fire on a patrol boat, according to a statement from Cuba's Interior Ministry.

The incident occurred near Cayo Falcones in the Corralillo municipality, where the speedboat, bearing the registration number FL7726SH, approached within one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel. A Cuban Border Guard Troops vessel carrying five service members intercepted the craft for identification. Ministry officials said the speedboat's occupants fired first, wounding the commander of the Cuban boat. In response, the guards returned fire, resulting in the deaths of four people on the foreign vessel and injuries to six others aboard it. The Cuban commander was the only service member hurt, and all seven wounded individuals were evacuated for medical treatment.

Authorities provided no details on the identities of those on the speedboat or their purpose in Cuban waters. An investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances, the ministry said. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba...