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Cuba says attacking speedboat had nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition
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Cuba says attacking speedboat had nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition

#Cuba #Cuban exiles #Speedboat #Amunition #U.S.-Cuba relations #Border guards #Firefight #Terrorism charges

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Cuban exiles attempted to infiltrate Cuba with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition
  • Four attackers were killed and six wounded in the confrontation with Cuban border guards
  • The incident occurred amid strained U.S.-Cuban relations due to Trump's oil blockade
  • Cuba claims the attackers intended to incite violence and destabilize the government
  • The captured individuals face serious charges with potential lengthy prison sentences or death penalty

📖 Full Retelling

Cuban officials revealed on Friday, February 27, 2026, that a commando of Cuban exiles from the United States who attempted to infiltrate Cuba on a speedboat was armed with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles and 11 pistols, leading to a deadly exchange of gunfire at sea where Cuban border guards killed four assailants and wounded six others who were taken into custody. In an effort to substantiate their account, senior Cuban Interior Ministry officers showcased the captured armaments during a special television broadcast, displaying bins containing at least some of the 12,846 recovered rounds alongside numerous firearms. They presented photographs of the vessels, each riddled with bullet holes from the firefight they claimed occurred at close range of 20 meters (66 feet). The confrontation unfolded at a particularly tense moment in U.S.-Cuban relations, with U.S. President Donald Trump maintaining pressure on the island nation through a virtual oil blockade following the capture and ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key Cuban ally, on January 3. Cuban authorities identified the assailants as Cuban exiles, some of whom had previously been listed as accused terrorists, claiming they came from the United States with the explicit intention of promoting disorder and attacking military units on the Communist-ruled island. According to the Cuban narrative, a patrol of five border guard members aboard a 9-meter boat spotted the incoming vessel shortly after 7 a.m. with some crew members already in the water, approximately one nautical mile off a cay on Cuba's northern coast. The infiltrators reportedly opened fire from 185 meters away, striking the Cuban vessel's captain in the abdomen. Despite being seriously wounded, the captain maintained control and steered toward the enemy vessel, resulting in a close-quarters firefight at about 20 meters. Cuba characterized its response as 'proportional,' with the captured individuals now receiving medical care while facing charges including armed aggression, illegal entry, terrorist acts, and arms trafficking, with potential prison sentences ranging from 10-15 years for lesser offenses to 20-30 years or even the death penalty for more serious charges.

🏷️ Themes

Security, Diplomatic Relations, Terrorism

📚 Related People & Topics

Cuba

Cuba

Country in the Caribbean

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean. It comprises the eponymous main island as well as 4,195 islands, islets, and cays. Situated at the convergence of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean, Cuba is located east of the Yucatán Peninsula, south ...

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Motorboat

Motorboat

Boat which is powered by an engine

A motorboat or powerboat is a boat whose propulsion is exclusively provided by a motor, not by wind power (e.g. sail or power kite) or human power. A motorboat capable of cruising at a much faster speed is also called a speedboat.

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Border guard

Border guard

Government service concerned with security of national borders

A border guard of a country is a national security agency that ensures border security. Some of the national border guard agencies also perform coast guard (as in Germany, Italy or Ukraine) and rescue service duties.

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Cuban exile

Cuban exile

Term for a person who has been exiled from Cuba

A Cuban exile is a person who has been exiled from Cuba. Many Cuban exiles have various differing experiences as emigrants depending on when they emigrated from Cuba, and why they emigrated. The exile of Cubans has been a dominating factor in Cuban history since the early independence struggles, in ...

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The incident highlights heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States, particularly concerning Cuban exiles and potential destabilization efforts. The large quantity of ammunition suggests a planned and potentially violent operation aimed at disrupting the Cuban government.

Context & Background

  • U.S.-Cuban relations have been strained for decades.
  • Cuban exiles have historically attempted to destabilize the Cuban government.
  • Recent geopolitical events, including the situation in Venezuela, have increased regional instability.

What Happens Next

The U.S. is expected to conduct an independent investigation into the incident, adding to the existing skepticism surrounding Cuba's account. The captured individuals will face legal proceedings in Cuba with potentially severe penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Cuban exiles involved?

Cuban officials identify them as exiles, some previously listed as accused terrorists, who came from the United States with the intent to incite unrest.

What was the purpose of the speedboat infiltration?

According to Cuban officials, the group intended to infiltrate Cuba, promote public disorder, attack military units, and destabilize the government.

What is the U.S. government's response?

The U.S. government, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has stated it will independently investigate the incident and denies any U.S. government involvement.

What are the legal consequences for those involved?

The captured individuals face charges including armed aggression, illegal entry, crimes associated with terrorist acts, and arms trafficking, potentially leading to prison terms of up to 30 years or even the death penalty.

Original Source
try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry OpenAI hits $730B valuation as Amazon, NVIDIA, and SoftBank inject $110B Wall Street posts worst month since March amid geopolitics, trade, and AI fears Gold prices climb, with spot gold set for a monthly gain of more than 8% Where Bernstein sees gold prices ending the decade after latest update (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Cuba says attacking speedboat had nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition By Reuters World Published 02/27/2026, 11:55 PM Updated 02/28/2026, 12:00 AM Cuba says attacking speedboat had nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition 0 By Daniel Trotta HAVANA, Feb 27 - A commando of Cuban exiles who intended to infiltrate Cuba on a speedboat was armed with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles and 11 pistols, Cuban officials said on Friday, providing new details about Wednesday’s deadly exchange of gunfire at sea. The government in Havana has said 10 Cuban nationals coming from the United States entered Cuban waters and opened fire on a border guard vessel, leading Cuban forces to return fire killing four and wounding six others, who were taken into custody. In an attempt to dispel doubts about its account to date, senior Cuban Interior Ministry officers displayed the captured armaments from the studio on a special television program, including bins full of at least some of the 12,846 recovered rounds. They also showed pictures of the vessels, each peppered with bullet holes from the firefight they said took place at a range of 20 meters (66 feet). The confrontation took place at a fraught moment in U.S.-Cuban relations, with U.S. President Donald Trump pressuring the island by imposing a virtual oil blockade after capturing and ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a crucial Cuban ally, on January 3. Cuba has identified the assailants as Cuban exiles, some of whom had been previously placed on a list of accused terrorists, who came from the United States with the intent to sow chaos and...
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