US Plans to Indict Cuba’s Raúl Castro, according to DOJ Official
By Hotspotnews
WASHINGTON — The United States is preparing to indict Raúl Castro, the former longtime leader of Cuba and brother of the late Fidel Castro, according to a senior U.S. Department of Justice official.
The expected charges stem from the 1996 shootdown of two unarmed civilian aircraft flown by the Miami-based humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. On February 24, 1996, Cuban MiG fighter jets downed the planes over international waters, killing four pilots — three American citizens and one Cuban-American. A third plane managed to escape. The attack triggered widespread condemnation and prompted the U.S. to strengthen sanctions against Cuba at the time.
The DOJ official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that an indictment against the 94-year-old Castro is imminent but would still need grand jury approval. No specific timeline has been set.
This move aligns with the current administration’s broader strategy to ramp up pressure on the Cuban regime. The Justice Department recently established a working group to review potential federal charges against senior Cuban officials, responding to long-standing calls from Cuban-American lawmakers and activists seeking accountability for alleged crimes.
Raúl Castro, who took over from his brother as Cuba’s president in 2008 and later led the Communist Party until 2021, has been accused by critics of personally ordering the 1996 attack. Advocates for the indictment view it as a long-overdue step to deliver justice for the victims and to hold high-ranking regime figures responsible for actions targeting Americans and Cuban dissidents.
Cuba has always maintained that the planes entered its airspace and represented a threat, denying any wrongdoing in the incident. The event severely damaged U.S.-Cuba relations for years and remains a potent symbol for the Cuban exile community, particularly in South Florida.
The potential charges come amid other U.S. actions targeting Havana, including sanctions on energy and economic sectors. They also follow recent diplomatic engagements, such as reported high-level meetings between U.S. and Cuban officials.
Legal observers note that while an indictment would carry strong symbolic weight and could result in international arrest warrants, the chances of Castro facing trial in the United States are extremely low due to his age and Cuba’s refusal to extradite him. Still, the action could further isolate the Cuban government on the world stage.
The case underscores the enduring tensions between Washington and Havana, driven by decades of political, human rights, and historical disputes, as well as the significant role of the Cuban-American community in shaping U.S. policy toward the island. If approved, the indictment would represent a notable escalation in the administration’s hardline approach to the communist regime.