US citizen among dead after Cuban military opens fire on stolen Florida boat

A Florida-registered boat involved in a deadly shootout with Cuba’s coast guard had been reported stolen from the Florida Keys and was carrying American citizens, according to US officials.

Four people were killed and six others injured in the Wednesday morning confrontation near Cayo Falcones, off Cuba’s northern coast. The 24-foot vessel had been taken from Big Pine Key, and its owner told authorities it was stolen by an employee, officials said.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is investigating the theft. The boat’s owner reported it missing after receiving calls from reporters asking about the incident. According to the sheriff’s report, the owner suspected a man who had been helping with a tile renovation project. The man allegedly left his truck behind near where the boat had been docked. The report states the suspect “has family in Cuba to include two young daughters who were still in Cuba.”

US officials told Axios that at least one of the individuals killed was a U.S. citizen. Another American citizen was among the injured and is receiving medical care in Cuba. Some of the other individuals aboard are believed to be legal permanent residents of the United States. At least one person on the boat reportedly held a current U.S. K-1 visa.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is investigating and has formally requested access to the six injured individuals.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry previously said the vessel was detected in its territorial waters in Villa Clara province. When border guard officers approached to identify the boat, the occupants allegedly opened fire, injuring a Cuban commander. Cuban authorities said their officers returned fire.

“As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six injured,” the ministry said in a statement posted via the Cuban Embassy in Washington.

Cuban officials initially described those aboard as Cubans living in the United States who intended to carry out acts of terrorism. The government claimed the passengers “have a known history of criminal and violent activity.” Two individuals, Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, were publicly identified and said to have been wanted for alleged ties to terrorism-related activities.

The speedboat was registered in Florida under number FL7726SH.