Firefight leaves four dead following alleged boat intrusion in Cuban waters
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Four people were killed in a firefight between Cuban forces and the crew of an American-registered vessel off the coast of north-central Cuba earlier this week, the country’s Ministry of the Interior (MININT) confirmed in a social media post.<\/p>\n
The ministry said the incident began in the early morning (local time) of Wednesday, February 25, after a boat was detected in Cuban territorial waters one nautical mile northeast of Corralillo municipality in Villa Clara province.<\/p>\n
A patrol vessel with embarked Cuban Border Troops (TGF) personnel was dispatched to the area to intercept the boat, which MININT claims was registered in the US state of Florida.<\/p>\n
According to reports, those on the American boat opened fire on the TGF personnel without warning, injuring the captain of the TGF vessel.<\/p>\n
MININT said the TGF personnel then returned fire, killing four people on the suspect boat and injuring six others.<\/p>\n
The survivors on the American boat were eventually apprehended. MININT said those who were injured have since been treated.<\/p>\n
“Faced with current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defence is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” the ministry said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n