Four people died and another seven were injured this Wednesday after a speedboat coming from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire against Cuban forces, who returned fire, the Cuban Ministry of the Interior said.
All four fatalities were aboard the fast boat based in Florida, and six others were injured, according to Cuba. In addition, the Cuban commander of the border patrol boat was injured, according to Cuba.
The foreign aggressors who were injured received medical treatment, Cuba said.
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The incident occurred amid rising tensions between Cuba and the United States, which have blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the communist government. American forces captured the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3, removing a key ally of Cuba from power.
“In the face of the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” a Cuban statement said.
