Cuba says troops killed 4 after armed speedboat opened fire near island

Incident raises tensions between U.S. and Cuba as Washington tightens embargo

Feb. 27, 2026 at 5:18am

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The Cuban government reported a deadly encounter between its troops and a boat carrying armed expatriates, killing four and wounding six. The boat was carrying 10 people, including Michel Ortega Casanova, an American citizen living in the U.S. for over 20 years who was described by his brother as being 'obsessed' with Cuba's freedom. Cuban authorities also identified two other men on the boat as being wanted for involvement in terrorism. The incident has raised tensions between the U.S. and Cuba as the Trump administration tightens the U.S. embargo and threatens tariffs against countries providing Cuba with oil.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and aspirations of some Cuban Americans to see a change in the communist government in Cuba, even decades after the 1959 revolution. It also comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with the Trump administration tightening the embargo and threatening actions against countries supporting Cuba economically.

The details

According to the Cuban government, a speedboat carrying 10 people approached the island and opened fire on Cuban troops, who fired back, killing four and wounding six. One of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova, an American citizen who had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years. Cuban authorities also identified two other men on the boat as being wanted for involvement in terrorism. The boat was found to be carrying assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.

  • The incident took place on February 26, 2026.

The players

Michel Ortega Casanova

An American citizen who had lived in the U.S. for over 20 years and was described by his brother as being 'obsessed' with Cuba's freedom.

Amijail Sánchez González

One of the two men on the boat who are wanted by Cuban authorities for involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of terrorism.

Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez

One of the two men on the boat who are wanted by Cuban authorities for involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of terrorism.

Conrado Galindo Sariol

A passenger on the boat who was identified as a former political prisoner in a 2025 interview with Martí Noticias, a U.S.-based news site that has long called for a change of government in Cuba.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State, who was wary of initial reports by Cuba and asserted that the U.S. would gather its own information about the people involved.

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What they’re saying

“They became so obsessed that they didn't think about the consequences nor their own lives.”

— Misael Ortega Casanova, Brother of Michel Ortega Casanova (The Associated Press)

“Maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free.”

— Misael Ortega Casanova, Brother of Michel Ortega Casanova (The Associated Press)

“It is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. It's something that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, the two men wanted for involvement in terrorism, out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and aspirations of some Cuban Americans to see a change in the communist government in Cuba, even decades after the 1959 revolution. It also comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with the Trump administration tightening the embargo and threatening actions against countries supporting Cuba economically.