US indicts Raúl Castro over 1996 downing of civilian aircraft
On Wednesday, the US Justice Department revealed criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, accusing him of involvement in the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft belonging to Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based exile organization, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Acting US Attorney Todd Blanche made the announcement in Miami, detailing charges of conspiracy to murder US nationals, aircraft destruction, and four counts of murder against Castro and five others. A federal grand jury had issued these charges on April 23. This marks the first instance of the US pursuing legal action against either Castro brother. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the charges as politically driven. Blanche emphasized that the US will hold accountable those responsible for killing Americans, regardless of when it occurred.
Key facts
- US Justice Department indicted Raúl Castro on April 23, 2025
- Charges relate to the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft
- Incident killed four people
- Aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue exile group
- Indictment includes conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, murder
- Five other co-defendants also charged
- Maximum penalty for at least one charge is life imprisonment
- First time US charged either Castro brother
Entities
Institutions
- US Justice Department
- Brothers to the Rescue
- Freedom Tower
- Trump administration
Locations
- Miami
- United States
- Cuba