US Charges Raúl Castro Over 1996 Shootdown
The United States has announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft linked to the Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue. US authorities accuse Castro and five other individuals of conspiracy to kill American citizens, destruction of aircraft and multiple murder charges connected to the deaths of four people, including three US citizens. The planes were shot down over waters between Cuba and Florida in February 1996, an incident that sparked international condemnation at the time. Castro, now 94 years old, was serving as Cuba’s defence minister and head of the armed forces when the attack occurred. The charges were announced in Miami by Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said the United States would continue pursuing accountability for the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr, Carlos Alberto Costa, Mario […]