April16, 2006: On the night of April 4-5, 2006, the Cuban Coast Guard exchanged fire with three men in a 40-foot power boat just inside Cuban waters. Reportedly, the fight began when the Cuban Coastguardsmen hailed the vessel, which replied with automatic weapons fire. The boat was subsequently boarded, and the three men aboard were arrested; two of them were wounded. The three men, one of whom has since died, were Cuban-Americans from Florida. Normally such an incident would lead to major headlines, fanned by Cuban exiles, but this incident has noted with minimal attention. Apparently the men were smugglers, possibly occasionally bringing out people seeking to flee to the U.S., but more frequently carrying other goods, which has dampened publicity about the incident.

Although not widely broadcast, the U.S. and Cuban Coast Guards frequently pass tips back and forth regarding smuggling, as drug dealers have a market in Cuba, and even when seeking to carry their good to the U.S. frequently try running through Cuban territorial seas to throw off pursuit.