Tensions rise in Cuba, Kremlin urges focus on humanitarian needs

The situation in Cuba was heating up and called for restraint following a deadly incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat off the coast of the Caribbean island, the Kremlin said on Thursday (26 February).

Cuban forces killed four exiles and wounded six others after a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters on Wednesday and opened fire on a patrol vessel, prompting an exchange of fire.

Russia condemned the incident as an “aggressive provocation by the United States” amid heightened tensions with Washington.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the priority was addressing Cuba’s socio-economic and humanitarian needs. He stressed that all humanitarian issues affecting Cuban citizens must be resolved and urged restraint to avoid further provocation.

Cuban authorities said the vessel was intercepted about one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino canal. The Cuba Ministry of the Interior reported that the patrol commander was among the wounded.

Suspects identified

Authorities said the boat carried 10 armed individuals. One deceased individual was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, while three other fatalities are still being formally identified.

Cuban officials claimed all participants were Cuban nationals residing in the United States and alleged that most had previous criminal records involving violent behaviour.

Two detainees were reportedly listed under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 for suspected terrorist activity.

Another Cuban national, Duniel Hernandez Santos, was arrested inside Cuba and is accused of helping organise the landing of the group. Authorities said he has confessed.

The Cuba Ministry of the Interior said the operation reflects its commitment to protecting maritime borders and maintaining sovereignty over Cuban territorial waters.

Officials described the incident as part of broader security efforts in the region.

U.S. response

Speaking at a Caribbean summit in St. Kitts, Marco Rubio said Washington is reviewing the incident and will independently verify Havana’s account.

"We are going to have our own information on this, we are going to figure out exactly what happened, and there are a number of things that could have happened here," Rubio said.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier ordered coordination between state and federal law enforcement agencies and criticised the Cuban government’s credibility.

Carlos Antonio Giménez, a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Florida, described the incident as a “massacre” and called for an urgent investigation. María Elvira Salazar, also a U.S. representative said she is closely monitoring developments.

Wider tensions between Cuba and the United States

The confrontation adds to longstanding friction between Cuba and the United States, including disputes over sanctions, maritime security and migration.

The 1996 shoot-down of a civilian aircraft over Cuban airspace, which killed four people, has often been cited as a historical example of similar tensions in the region.

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The Cuba Ministry of the Interior said Wednesday’s operation was part of its continuing efforts to secure the country’s maritime borders.

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News Politics Cuba florida speedboat United States Russia Kremlin Dmitry Peskov Marco Rubio Florida