Marco Rubio said the United States will respond after Cuban authorities allegedly opened fire on a U.S.-registered boat near the island, leaving four people dead in a confrontation that could further strain already fragile relations between Washington and Havana.

Speaking while attending a regional conference in St. Kitts and Nevis, Rubio stated that U.S. officials are working to determine the full facts surrounding the incident. “We’re going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we’ll respond accordingly,” he said. Rubio, who was born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, described the episode as highly unusual, noting that armed clashes at sea between the two countries have not occurred in many years.

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the vessel entered waters within one nautical mile northeast of a coastal town in central Cuba. Cuban officials claim the boat opened fire on border officers when security forces attempted to identify those onboard. State media reported that the vessel was carrying 10 armed Cubans who reside in the United States and were allegedly attempting to infiltrate the island for what authorities described as terrorist purposes.

Cuban officials said several individuals were wounded and transported for medical treatment. In a public statement, the government defended its actions and said it remains committed to protecting its territorial waters, calling national defense central to its sovereignty.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Florida Republican and outspoken critic of the Cuban regime, called for an immediate investigation. He urged federal authorities to determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or lawful residents and to establish a verified account of the encounter.

The shooting comes amid longstanding tensions between the United States and Cuba, whose communist government has been at odds with Washington since the 1959 revolution. The island sits roughly 90 miles south of Florida, and maritime incidents in the Florida Straits have historically heightened disputes involving migration, security enforcement, and alleged subversive activity.

As of Wednesday evening, U.S. officials had not confirmed the identities of the four individuals killed or publicly validated Cuba’s version of events. The State Department has indicated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.