In brief
The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly preparing to indict former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 incident involving the Brothers to the Rescue group's aircraft, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The indictment could follow a meeting between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Cuban officials amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions and pressure on the Castro regime. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has called the potential charges 'long overdue', while a Cuban Minister has asserted that Cuba remains resilient despite U.S. threats.
The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly preparing to indict aging Cuban leader Raúl Castro in the coming days over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago. The reported charges, which would need to be approved by a U.S. grand jury, emerged as the director of the CIA traveled to Cuba to meet officials in Havana.Castro, 94, stepped down as Cuban Communist Party leader in 2021, ending his family's more than half a century in power. He led the country for 15 years, stepping in after his brother, Fidel, resigned.The potential indictment is the latest move in a U.S. pressure campaign that has included an oil blockade and widespread sanctions. The charges are said to center on the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the U.S. activist-humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. Unnamed U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) officials told U.S. media the indictment could come as soon as next Wednesday.Asked on Friday about the reported indictment plan, President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One: 'I'll let DoJ comment on it.' He added: 'But [Cubans] need help, as you know. And you talk about a declining country. They are really a nation, a country in decline.'The charges concerned an attack on two small planes on February 24, 1996, while Fidel was president and Raúl was armed forces minister, which killed four individuals aboard. Brothers to the Rescue had been known for dropping anti-Castro leaflets and conducting humanitarian missions.Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis praised the possible criminal charges on Friday, calling them 'long overdue'. Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez asserted, 'Despite the [U.S.] embargo, sanctions and threats of the use of force, Cuba continues on a path of sovereignty towards its socialist development.'The U.S. has focused more on Cuba recently after indicting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to alter the regime in Cuba amidst substantial geopolitical tension.
