Aboard the Florida-registered vessel, four were killed and six wounded, Cuba said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. personnel were not involved and called for an investigation.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/43578877

Four people riding in a speedboat registered in the U.S. were killed Feb. 25 in a gunfight with Cuban government forces after entering the country’s waters, according to the Cuban Embassy in the U.S.

Crewmembers aboard a speedboat registered in Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban Ministry of the Interior forces when they approached the American vessel, the Cuban Embassy said in a statement. Aboard the Florida-registered vessel, four were killed and six were injured in the gunfight; the commander of the Ministry of the Interior vessel was wounded in the gunfight, Cuba said.

“In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region,” Cuban authorities said. “Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events.”

According to Cuban officials, the wounded crewmembers of the Florida-registered boat were evacuated for medical assistance.

  • Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    51·
    2 days ago

    The crew consisted of Cuban nationals residing in the U.S., Cuban authorities said in a late update Wednesday evening. The crew was armed with assault rifles, handguns and Molotov cocktails, Cuba said.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. government personnel were not involved and called for an investigation into the incident.

    What makes you think the US government is responsible for this?

    • B-TR3E@feddit.orgEnglish
      61·
      2 days ago

      I don’t think it needed the active support of the government to motivate a bunch of exile Cubans, but Trumps new aggression against Cuba certainly helped. It hardly is just coincidence that it happemed right now.

              • Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                32·
                2 days ago

                To what end?

                You lot seem to think this was some type of coup attempt, rather than some smugglers that got busted and tried to run.

                Which I find very entertaining.

                • Smif_N_Lenin@piefed.socialEnglish
                  11·
                  2 days ago

                  Smugglers that were headed to Cuba, armed, and instigated hostilities with Cuban ships by firing upon them? That makes zero sense.

                  You seem to be having fun making up whatever fantasy scenarios that you like, so keep at it

                  • ranzispa@mander.xyzEnglish
                    41·
                    2 days ago

                    Smugglers have reasons to be armed and sometimes are. In this case they got approached for a control, you can imagine that if they were carrying weapons they probably had some other illegal thing. At that point they could surrender to the authorities, but that would likely get them to jail. They were armed and thus shot on the ship in order to escape. Doesn’t seem too far fetched.

                    On the other hand: one boat with a few men and guns was directed to Cuba to make a coup. They got stopped by authorities, fired at them and escaped. This doesn’t make sense. How are you making a coup if you’re not able to pass the first control ship that approaches you?