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Cuba says US ready to cooperate in speedboat intrusion investigation

China

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China

Cuba says US ready to cooperate in speedboat intrusion investigation

2026-02-27 17:07 Last Updated At:17:57

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said Thursday that Cuban authorities have been in contact with the U.S. side, including the U.S. State Department and the Coast Guard, who have shown willingness to cooperate in the investigation into Wednesday's speedboat intrusion.

The Cuban authorities will request information from the U.S. side on the individuals involved, the vessel and other details through existing bilateral mechanisms, Fernandez de Cassio said.

The preliminary situation has been disclosed previously, and more details will be released in the coming days, he said.

The deputy foreign minister said that the Cuban government has been regularly notifying the U.S. of relevant information. The two individuals involved in this incident were on the lists provided to the U.S. in 2023 and 2025, but neither was investigated on the U.S. soil.

"This is not an isolated incident. For more than 60 years, Cuba has been the victim of aggressions and countless terrorist acts, most of which have been organized, financed and executed from the U.S. territory. Cuba has the obligation and responsibility to protect its territorial waters. Our actions are in accordance with international law, while the international law are applicable to all countries, including the United States," said Fernandez de Cossio.

He reaffirmed Cuba's absolute and categorical commitment against all forms of terrorism.

Cuba's counterterrorism efforts constitute a central component of national defense, essential for safeguarding the country's sovereignty and the lives, security and well-being of its people, said the deputy foreign minister.

The Cuban Ministry of the Interior said on Wednesday that the country's coast guard found a speedboat registered in the U.S. state of Florida illegally intruded into its territorial waters. When the coast guard approached the boat for identification, the crew opened fire on the Cuban personnel and was counterattacked.

At least one U.S. national was killed and another injured flowing Wednesday's "highly unusual" shooting by Cuba's border guards at the boat, multiple U.S. media outlets reported Thursday, citing U.S. officials.

The shooting came amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba as the island country in the Caribbean is facing rapidly worsening conditions driven by severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts and growing barriers to accessing food and healthcare.

The relevant investigation is still underway.

Cuba says US ready to cooperate in speedboat intrusion investigation

Cuba says US ready to cooperate in speedboat intrusion investigation

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to immediately restore crude oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, accusing Ukraine of blocking off a critical source of Hungary’s energy supply.

In an open letter addressed to Zelensky and shared on social media, Orban accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere in Hungary's internal affairs and trying to force the country into the Russia-Ukraine war. He stressed that Hungary has no intention of joining or financing the conflict and will not shoulder higher energy costs.

Orban also emphasized that Ukraine's recent actions are detrimental to Hungarian interests and directly jeopardize the nation's energy security.

Gergely Gulyas, Hungary's Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, announced on Thursday that the government has ordered a significant increase in security at critical energy infrastructure sites. Gulyas claimed that Ukraine is seeking to undermine and sabotage Hungary's energy systems.

The Druzhba pipeline -- which translates as the 'friendship' pipeline -- serves as a major network for transporting Russian crude oil to Central and Eastern Europe. According to Ukrainian officials, oil shipments to countries including Hungary and Slovakia were suspended on Jan 27 due to damage caused by Russian attacks.

However, Hungary and Slovakia have dismissed these claims, asserting that Ukraine has deliberately cut off the supply from Russia. Both countries have announced that they will take countermeasures against Ukraine.

Hungary urges Ukraine to immediately reopen Druzhba oil pipeline

Hungary urges Ukraine to immediately reopen Druzhba oil pipeline

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