Ten Cuban men, all living in the United States, travelling in an American speedboat in Cuban waters, with a significant cache of weapons, launched an armed attack on Feb. 25 against a patrol vessel of the Cuban Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior. The attack took place in the northeastern area of El Pino channel at Cayo Falcones, municipality of Carralillo, Villa Clara province, Cuba.
The Cuban Border Guard Troops reported that, in returning fire, they killed four of the invaders and wounded six.
This unfolded against the background of Jan. 29, 2026, when U.S. President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14380, declaring a national emergency regarding “threats from the Cuban government,” and enforcing a cutoff of all oil shipments into Cuba, principally from Mexico and Venezuela. On top of 65 years of U.S. embargos of many essential goods into Cuba, this is meant to topple the government.
In response to the Feb. 25 assault, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, in a post to X on Feb. 26, affirmed that Cuba “does not attack or threaten.” He added, “We have stated this repeatedly, and we reiterate it today: Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist or mercenary aggression that seeks to undermine its sovereignty and national stability.”
Cuban authorities have launched a criminal investigation.
Meanwhile, in a post by the Cuban Embassy in the U.S. to X on Feb. 26, the Cuban Interior Ministry’s investigation thus far states: “Authorities have confirmed that the intercepted speedboat, registered in the State of Florida under number FL7726SH, was carrying 10 armed individuals who according to preliminary statements by those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes. The following items were seized: assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), body armor, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.”
The Interior Ministry identifies the names of the six who have been detained, and notes, “All participants are Cuban nationals residing in the United States. Most have prior records involving criminal and violent activity.” The ministry provides details on the background of three of the participants.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is heavily involved in the narco-criminal Cuban networks in Florida, and who is behind much of the networks and policy to overthrow the Cuban government, announced on Feb. 26 that the United States is conducting its own “independent investigation.”
TASS reported on the same day: “The incident with a U.S.-registered speedboat that entered Cuba’s territorial waters is a deliberate move by Washington to provoke tensions, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS.” “It is an aggressive U.S. provocation at escalating the situation and triggering conflict,” Zakharova said.
