Cuba has announced that its forces killed four people aboard an American vessel after it opened fire on a patrol boat.

Cuban authorities reported a serious incident in which four people were killed after a fast boat registered in the United States entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire on a patrol vessel.

The incident, which occurred near Falcones Cay, resulted in the wounding of the commander of the Cuban vessel and an exchange of gunfire in which Cuban forces retaliated, killing four crew members of the boat and wounding six others.

Cuban authorities have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incident, while officials in Florida, including the attorney general and Congressman Carlos Gimenez, have called for an urgent investigation.

Tensions between the United States and Cuba have been heightened by this incident, in the context of which bilateral cooperation has stalled and economic pressure on Cuba has increased.

Canada has announced that it is preparing a support package for Cuba in this tense context.