WASHINGTON, May 21, 2026 — The United States has announced criminal charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 destruction of two small aircraft operated by the Cuban-American organisation Brothers to the Rescue, an event that left four people dead.
US prosecutors said Castro, who was Cuba’s defence minister at the time, faces charges including conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft and four counts of murder.
US Announces Arrest Warrant for Castro
The charges were revealed in Miami by Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said American authorities remain committed to pursuing accountability in the decades-old case.
According to the Justice Department, the victims included Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Alberto Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña and Pablo Morales. Three of them were American citizens.
Blanche confirmed that US authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Castro, who is now 94 years old. He also stated that the United States would continue efforts to bring the former Cuban leader before a US court.
1996 Plane Shootdown Triggered International Outrage
The aircraft belonged to Brothers to the Rescue, a group known for conducting flights linked to Cuban migrant rescue operations near the Florida Straits.
The planes were shot down in February 1996, leading to strong international criticism against the Cuban government and worsening already tense relations between Havana and Washington.
At the time, Raúl Castro was one of the top military and political figures in Cuba under the leadership of his brother, Fidel Castro.
Cuban Government Dismisses Charges
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the US accusations and described the indictment as politically motivated.
Havana insisted that Cuban forces acted legally and defended the country’s sovereignty during the 1996 incident. Cuban officials also accused Washington of attempting to justify stronger pressure against the communist-led island.
US-Cuba Relations Face Renewed Strain
The case emerges as tensions between Cuba and the administration of Donald Trump continue to rise.
Washington has recently imposed tougher sanctions and restrictions on Cuba while criticising the country’s economic management and political system.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also accused Cuba’s military-linked business group GAESA of controlling major sectors of the economy and contributing to ongoing shortages and power cuts.
Cuban Exiles in Miami Praise the Move
The indictment was welcomed by members of the Cuban exile community in Miami, many of whom have long demanded justice over the 1996 incident.
Families of the victims and anti-government activists described the charges as a significant development after years of legal and political debate surrounding the case.
Although Raúl Castro retired from official leadership years ago, he still remains a symbolic figure within Cuba’s ruling establishment and revolutionary history.