The United States has formally charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft belonging to the anti-Castro group Brothers to the Rescue.
US prosecutors announced charges including conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft and four counts of murder linked to the incident that killed four people, including three Americans. Castro was Cuba’s armed forces chief at the time of the attack.
The aircraft were shot down by Cuban fighter jets over waters between Cuba and Florida in February 1996 after repeated tensions over flights conducted by the exile group. The incident severely damaged relations between Washington and Havana and led to stronger US sanctions against Cuba.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment in Miami and said the US would not forget its citizens killed in the attack. Authorities also confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued against Castro and five others accused in the case.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the accusations and described them as politically motivated. Cuban officials argued that the country acted in self-defence and accused Washington of increasing pressure on the communist government.
The case comes amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and Cuba, with Washington increasing sanctions and economic pressure on the island nation. Analysts say the indictment is largely symbolic because Castro is unlikely to be extradited to the United States.
