Four people died and seven others were injured this Wednesday after a speedboat from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban forces, who retaliated, the Cuban Interior Ministry said.
All four fatalities were onboard the Florida-based speedboat and six others were injured, Cuba said. Additionally, the Cuban commander of the border patrol boat was injured, Cuba reported.
The injured foreign attackers received medical attention, Cuba said.
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The incident occurred amid growing tension between Cuba and the United States, which blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the communist government. US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on January 3, removing an important Cuban ally from power.
“Faced with 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,” said a Cuban statement.
