Cuba says intercepted speedboat carried nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition

Cuban officials say a speedboat carrying a heavily armed group of Cuban exiles was intercepted in Cuban waters this week, revealing that those on board were equipped with nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition, 13 rifles and 11 pistols, as well as other military-style gear, authorities said Friday.

The Interior Ministry displayed the seized weapons and ammunition on television as part of an effort to bolster its account of the deadly gunfight on Wednesday off Cuba’s northern coast. Cuban authorities say the vessel, coming from the United States, entered territorial waters and opened fire on a Cuban border guard patrol, prompting Cuban forces to return fire in a confrontation that killed four and wounded six others, who were taken into custody.

Officials showed images of the vessels peppered with bullet holes and detailed the amounts of recovered ammunition — 12,846 rounds — stored in bins at the television studio. The group aboard was described by Havana as a commando of Cuban exiles with the intent to infiltrate and promote violent action on the island.

Cuba alleges the men originated from Florida and were bent on “infiltrating” the country and inciting disorder, according to Colonel Victor Alvarez of the Interior Ministry, who accused them of seeking to attack military units and spark unrest.

The incident has unfolded amid heightened tensions between Havana and Washington, with U.S. politicians expressing skepticism about Cuba’s narrative. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his government will independently investigate but stressed that no U.S. government personnel were involved in the operation.

Cuban authorities also reported recovering other equipment from the boat, including a drone, radios, knives, a portable power plant, bolt cutters and symbols associated with anti-government groups, while documenting that dozens of rounds of ammunition were collected from the scene.

The six detainees face tough charges ranging from armed aggression and illegal entry to terrorism-related offenses and arms trafficking. Prosecutors warned that penalties could include long prison terms or, for serious charges, possible capital punishment.

The episode has underscored lingering geopolitical frictions in the region, with Cuba framing its response as a proportional act of self-defense to protect its territorial integrity.