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Secretary of State Marco Rubio held again his judgment when addressing the shootout between Cuba’s coast guard and a U.S.-registered speedboat. The secretary known as the state of affairs “extremely uncommon” and emphasised the necessity for the U.S. to guage the info of the incident earlier than giving its response.
Whereas talking with reporters in Saint Kitt on Wednesday, Rubio mentioned that the U.S. was “going to have our personal info” on the incident and that it will be evaluated to find out what occurred. He additionally mentioned that “there are a variety of issues that would have occurred,” however refused to take a position on varied situations.
“Suffice it to say, it’s extremely uncommon to see shootouts within the open sea like that. It is not one thing that occurs day by day. It is one thing, frankly, that hasn’t occurred with Cuba in a really very long time. However we’ll discover out,” Rubio mentioned. “We’re not going to base our conclusions on what they’ve advised us. And I am very, very assured that we’ll know the total story of what occurred right here, and we’ll realize it quickly. After which, you recognize, we’ll reply appropriately primarily based on what that info tells us.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters in a departure lounge earlier than returning to Washington following conferences with Caribbean Group (CARICOM) leaders, at Robert L. Bradshaw Worldwide Airport in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Feb. 25, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Reuters)
One reporter requested concerning the potential penalties for Cuba if these on the boat have been Individuals, however Rubio wouldn’t give a solution, saying there was extra evaluation of the info that needed to be carried out.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that Rubio had briefed him on the state of affairs. Equally to Rubio, Vance mentioned that a number of particulars remained unknown and that the united stateswas intently monitoring the state of affairs.
“Hopefully it’s not as dangerous as we worry it may very well be, however I can’t say extra as a result of I simply don’t know extra,” Vance mentioned.
On Wednesday, Cuba’s Inside Ministry mentioned that the nation’s coast guard shot 4 lifeless and left six others wounded in a shootout with a U.S.-registered speedboat. The ministry additionally mentioned that the speedboat was carrying 10 “armed people who, in line with preliminary statements from the detainees, supposed to hold out an infiltration for terrorist functions.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced new insurance policies surrounding visas on Wednesday. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs)
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The Cuban Embassy within the U.S. mentioned in an announcement that the speedboat crew fired on the Cuban personnel who boarded the vessel. It added that the commander of the Cuban watercraft was injured within the shootout.
“Within the face of present challenges, Cuba reaffirms its willpower to guard its territorial waters, primarily based on the precept that nationwide protection is a basic pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and making certain stability within the area,” the embassy’s assertion on X learn.
The embassy added that “investigations by the competent authorities proceed to be able to totally make clear the occasions.”
Cuba’s Inside Ministry mentioned that personnel discovered “assault rifles, handguns, handcrafted explosive gadgets (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic lookers and camouflage uniforms” aboard the vessel.
Seven of the lads concerned have been recognized, the ministry mentioned, together with: Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Moreover, among the many deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a bilateral assembly with China’s International Minister in Munich, Feb. 13, 2026, on the sidelines of the Munich Safety Convention. ( Alex Brandon / POOL / AFP through Getty Photographs)
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The ministry mentioned it’s working to verify the identities of three others. It additionally claimed that these aboard the speedboat have been Cubans dwelling within the U.S. and that many had “a identified historical past of prison and violent exercise.”
In response to information retrieved by Fox Information Digital, the vessel, registered in Florida with quantity FL7726SH, is a 24-foot Professional-Line boat.
A supply advised Fox Information that the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement contacted the Miami-based proprietor, who confirmed the vessel had been docked at a marina within the Florida Keys. After being notified by authorities, the proprietor — who will not be thought-about a suspect — reported the boat stolen.
Fox Information Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed to this report.
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