The Cuban military has opened fire on an American vessel, killing four people, according to reports.

Cuba Home Office (MININT) said today (February 25) said "a speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters with a Florida, United States registration number, FL7726SH, which approached within 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, in the province of Villa Clara".

The MININT said a unit of the Border Guard Troops, consisting of five members, approached the boat to identify it. According to the official statement, the "violating" vessels fired at the Cuban border guards.

The statement read the "offending boat opened fire against the Cuban personnel, causing the commander of Cuban vessel to be injured. As a result of the confrontation, on the foreign side, four aggressors were killed and six were injured, who were evacuated and received medical assistance".

The official note from the Cuban Home Office also read: "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 order to protect its sovereignty and stability in the region. Investigations are continuing by the competent authorities to fully clarify the facts."

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