Armed individuals killed by Cuban coast guard aboard Florida-registered boat were US residents, local officials claim

Four people killed aboard a Florida-registered boat following an alleged shootout with the Cuban coast guard were US residents, local officials said.

The deceased were all of Cuban descent and were approaching the country as part of a terrorist plot, Cuba's government claimed in a statement issued Wednesday night.

They said authorities seized assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms from the boat.

Michel Ortega Casanova was identified as one of the victims, with local authorities reportedly working to identify the three others.

Six other people were injured when those aboard the vessel allegedly crossed into the nation's waters and opened fire.

They were subsequently detained according to the statement.

The Cuban Embassy said on X that the incident unfolded Wednesday morning, when the speedboat approached one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel in the Villa Clara province.

The embassy said Border Guard Troops confronted the speedboat, leading the crew of the Florida-registered boat to open fire on the Cuban personnel.

This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.