US FBI Agents Arrive in Cuba for Speedboat Shooting Investigation

FBI Team Arrives in Cuba for Investigation into Border Patrol Incident

A technical team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrived in Cuba to conduct an independent investigation into a deadly shootout between local border patrol officers and a Florida-tagged speedboat. The US embassy in Havana announced the FBI agents’ arrival on Wednesday, following pressure from officials to look into the incident.

According to Cuban authorities, 10 individuals attempted to enter the island by speedboat on February 25, armed with approximately 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles, and 11 pistols. The group was met with resistance from local border patrol officers, resulting in a shootout that left five individuals dead and several others wounded.

The US embassy stated that the FBI’s trip to Cuba is part of a thorough and independent investigation into the incident. An embassy official confirmed that the US will verify Havana’s version of events, emphasizing that decisions are made based solely on US interest, law, and the protection of US citizens.

The incident occurred in a remote channel off Cuba’s northern coast, approximately 160km from Marathon, Florida. The speedboat was spotted by a Cuban patrol of five border guard members, who reported being fired upon from a distance of about 185 meters. The captain of the patrol was struck in the abdomen and remained at the helm during the ensuing firefight.

The US government has denied any involvement in the incident, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the speedboat incursion was not a US operation and that no US government personnel were involved.

Source: Al Jazeera