Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the United States will independently verify details of an incident where Cuban forces killed four people aboard a Florida-tagged speedboat. Speaking in St. Kitts & Nevis, Rubio stated the U.S. needs access to the vessel and any American citizens involved before reaching conclusions.

Rubio emphasized the U.S. will not rely solely on information provided by Cuban authorities about the confrontation. The incident occurred when Cuba claims the boat entered its waters and opened fire on a Cuban patrol. Rubio described such shootouts at sea as highly unusual and unprecedented in recent U.S.-Cuba relations.

The secretary clarified the operation was not U.S.-sponsored and no American government personnel were involved. He also stated that the current situation in Cuba is unsustainable and requires dramatic changes. The investigation aims to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deadly encounter.