The Cuban Ministry of the Interior announced on Wednesday (the 25th) that its coast guard had killed four people and injured six others aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat.

In a statement, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that as a Cuban patrol vessel approached the Florida-registered boat to verify the identities of those on board, gunfire erupted from the boat, resulting in injuries to the captain of the Cuban vessel.

According to the Cuban government, the vessel, registered in Florida under the number FL7726SH, was discovered within Cuban territorial waters on Wednesday morning, northeast of El Pino Strait near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province.

When the Cuban Border Guard approached to inspect the vessel, "the crew of the intruding speedboat opened fire," prompting the Cuban military to return fire.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry stated, "As a result of this clash, at the time of this report, four attackers on the foreign vessel have been killed and six have been injured," adding that the injured have been transported for medical treatment.

The statement declared, "Amidst the challenges currently faced, Cuba reaffirms its determination to defend its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the protection of the Cuban state's sovereignty and the preservation of regional stability."

It was further noted that an investigation is underway to fully clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The incident occurred while Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting the Caribbean to attend the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit held in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Secretary Rubio is holding private meetings with regional leaders to discuss security, economic cooperation, and shared concerns regarding U.S. policy.

As reported by BNO News, Representative Carlos Giménez (R-FL) stated, "The Cuban dictatorship attacked a boat from Florida and killed those on board," adding, "This regime belongs in the ash heap of history!"

NNP USA = Representative Reporter Hong Sung-goo / Special Correspondent for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com