US Indicts Former Cuban President Raúl Castro Over 1996 Aircraft Shootdown
The United States has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on murder-related charges linked to the 1996 shootdown of two aircraft between Cuba and Florida.
According to the US Department of Justice, Castro faces allegations of conspiracy to murder American citizens and other serious crimes connected to the incident in which two planes were shot down over international waters.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche described the indictment as a “historic moment,” saying it marks the first time in nearly 70 years that senior Cuban leadership has faced criminal charges in the United States over alleged violent actions.
In response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the accusations against Castro, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He accused Washington of using the case as a possible justification for military action against Cuba.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the indictment of the former Cuban leader was “a very big development.”
Speaking to reporters, Trump described Cuba as a “failed state” and said he could not predict what would happen next. He added that the Cuban people need support and claimed the United States is working to bring “freedom” to Cuba while insisting that tensions would not escalate.
