Canada is sending $8 million Canadian (US$6.7 million) in food aid to people in Cuba as the island faces a tightened U.S. embargo and threats of tariffs against countries providing it with oil.

Historical conflicts between the US and Cuba span six decades and include Cuban Revolution, Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would carry out an independent investigation before responding. Four people on the boat were killed, Cuba's Interior Ministry said.

Mexico has sent a second humanitarian aid package to Cuba as the island struggles with fuel shortages and tighter U.S. pressure.

Russia's ⁠foreign ministry ⁠spokeswoman said on Thursday ​that an incident with a ‌Florida-registered speedboat off ‌the coast of ⁠Cuba ⁠was an ‘aggressive provocation by the United States’ ​aimed at escalating the situation and triggering a conflict,