International Security and Terrorism

Cuban authorities say a fifth crew member from a U.S.-flagged speedboat involved in a February 25 shootout with the Cuban coast guard died of his wounds on March 4, bringing total deaths from the incident to five. Prosecutors have filed terrorism charges against the surviving crew members, accusing them of attempting to smuggle 14 rifles, 11 pistols and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition into Cuba to destabilize the communist government. The Interior Ministry says the clash began when a Cuban patrol approached the vessel—by then within one nautical mile of shore—to demand identification, and the crew opened fire, prompting return fire that killed four people on the boat at the scene. At least two of those aboard were U.S. citizens, one of whom was killed, and Cuban officials say they are advancing the investigation with cooperation from U.S. authorities, including evidence sharing and other joint actions, while a Florida incident report indicates the vessel’s owner reported it stolen by an employee. The brother of one dead crewman told AP his sibling had become "obsessive" about overthrowing Cuba’s government, highlighting how the case intersects with long‑standing exile militancy and with President Trump’s open push for regime change and an energy blockade after Venezuela’s Maduro was toppled, a combination likely to feed Havana’s claim that it faces U.S.-linked terrorism off its shores.