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 Manuel de la Peña and Pablo Morales.
“The United States will not forget its citizens,” Blanche stated during the announcement.
The murder charges could carry penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death sentence if prosecuted successfully in a US court.
Cuba strongly rejected the accusations. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the case as politically motivated and lacking legal basis. He accused Washington of using the indictment to intensify pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
According to Cuban authorities, the aircraft were intercepted in what they describe as an act of self-defence within Cuban jurisdictional waters.
The indictment comes as tensions between Washington and Havana continue to rise. The administration of US President Donald Trump has increased sanctions on Cuba and tightened economic restrictions in recent months.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a message to Cubans on the country’s independence day, criticising Cuba’s military-linked economic system and blaming it for ongoing blackouts and shortages.
Cuban officials responded by accusing the United States of worsening economic hardship on the island through sanctions and political pressure.
During questions from reporters, Blanche confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Castro. He did not clarify whether the US would attempt to capture the former Cuban leader but said authorities expected him to eventually face American justice.
Political analysts say the charges are part of a broader US strategy aimed at increasing pressure on the Cuban government. However, some experts believe Cuba is unlikely to make concessions despite growing economic and diplomatic challenges.
The announcement was welcomed by many Cuban exile groups in Miami, where families of the victims and anti-government activists gathered during the presentation of the case.
Supporters of the move described it as long-awaited justice for the victims killed in the 1996 incident.
Raúl Castro, younger brother of former Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, officially stepped down from power years ago but remains one of the most influential figures linked to Cuba’s communist revolution.
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