U.S. Announces Indictment of Former Cuban President Raúl Castro on Murder Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for murder and conspiracy related to the 1996 downing of two civilian planes that killed four people, including three Americans.
Historic Indictment of Castro
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment of Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, along with several other former senior military officials. The charges stem from the February 24, 1996 incident in which Cuban military forces shot down two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue.
Charges and Victims
Castro and others are charged with:
- Conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals
- Destruction of aircraft
- Four counts of murder (one for each victim)
The attack killed four people: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales — three U.S. citizens and one permanent resident.
Trump Administration Escalation
The indictment, returned by a grand jury on April 23 but unsealed on May 20 (Cuban Independence Day), marks a major escalation in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Cuba's communist government. The charges are largely symbolic since Castro, now 94, remains in Cuba with no indication he will be extradited.