Multiple people have been shot dead after Cuban troops took aim at an American vessel.
Four people have been killed and six have injured after Cuban authorities opened fire on a “violating speedboat” from the United States, which approached the coast of Villa Clara, a province in the centre of country.
Cuba’s Interior Ministry said the speedboat was registered to the state of Florida, but was found in Cuban waters on Wednesday morning, local time.
Border troops approached the vessel for identification, however, the crew of the speedboat allegedly opened fire on the Cuban forces, killing the vessel's commander.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio went on to confirm the run-in was not a US operation and that no US Government personnel were involved.
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The ministry said in a press release: "As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured.
"The injured individuals were evacuated and received medical assistance.”
It said the speedboat, registration number FL7726SH, came within one nautical mile of the Cuban coast - just northeast of the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, in the province of Villa Clara.
Communist officials said the country “reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region”.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, as the island faces a deepening fuel crisis.
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James Uthmeier, Florida’s Attorney General, said he has ordered prosecutors to work with federal, state and law enforcement partners to start an investigation.
He said: “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable.”
Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez - a Cuban-American and former Mayor of Miami - said he would demand an investigation into what he called a “massacre”.
He said that US authorities "must determine whether any of the victims were US citizens or legal residents".
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The US's Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting Caribbean leaders as the Trump administration seeks to intensify pressure on Cuba’s government
| GETTYThe deaths come amid rising tensions between the US and Cuba, as the island grapples with a worsening fuel crisis.
Havana’s energy shortages have been exacerbated by US efforts to block oil shipments from Venezuela, one of Cuba’s closest regional allies.
Though on Wednesday afternoon, the Americans said they would move to allow the resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba.
In a statement following the deaths, Cuban authorities said "in the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters” and to defend national sovereignty.
The development also coincides with a diplomatic visit by Mr Rubio to St Kitts and Nevis.
Mr Rubio is meeting Caribbean leaders as the Trump administration seeks to intensify pressure on Cuba and address more general security concerns in North America.
Meanwhile, Britons travelling to and from Cuba run the risk of being stranded after authorities confirmed that all airports across the island nation have run out of jet fuel.
The British Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for Cuba as a result.
Officials are now advising against “all but essential travel”, warning that all nine airports have been affected by fuel shortages and widespread power disruptions.
In its guidance, the department said Cuba is facing “severe and escalating disruption to essential infrastructure”, alongside persistent nationwide power outages and an acute shortage of fuel.
The department warned the situation could continue to impact transport, communications and basic services across the country.
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