The United States Government is considering filing formal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged responsibility in the downing of two small planes belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue organization in 1996, an incident that left four dead and caused one of the biggest diplomatic crises between Washington and Havana in recent decades.
According to information released by the CBS network and confirmed by sources cited by Reuters, The possible indictment would require the approval of a federal grand jury and would be related to the airstrike that occurred on February 24, 1996.when Cuban Air Force MiG fighters shot down two Cessna civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian group of Cuban exiles.
US authorities have maintained for years that the small planes were shot down in international waters of the Florida Strait, while the Cuban Government has defended that the aircraft violated the island’s airspace and represented a threat to national security.
The possible judicial process arises amid the hardening of the foreign policy of President Donald Trump’s administration towards Cubamarked by new economic sanctions, oil restrictions and growing diplomatic pressures against the Government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
So far, the Justice Department has not officially confirmed the investigation or issued public comments on the case.
SCOOP by @CBSNews: US is taking steps to indict Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old president of Cuba and brother of Fidel, in reference to the downing of plans 30 years into the past, primarily based on US officials familiar with the topic. The aptitude indictment — which would need…
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) Might additionally 14, 2026
The case revives one of the most tense episodes between Washington and Havana
The downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes caused international outrage in 1996 and then led US President Bill Clinton to condemn the Cuban Government’s action “in the strongest possible terms.”
An investigation by the Organization of American States (OAS) later concluded that the planes were attacked outside Cuban airspace and that the use of force violated norms of international law.
At the time, the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro headed the island’s government, while Raúl Castro headed the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
The case also led to the conviction in the United States of Cuban agent Gerardo Hernández, accused of conspiracy to commit murder for transmitting information about Brothers to the Rescue flights to the Cuban intelligence services. Hernández was sentenced to life in prison, although he later returned to Cuba as part of a prisoner exchange in 2014.
Last March, Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott declared that he hoped Castro would be brought to justice in the United States, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly welcomed reports of a possible indictment.
🚨#SOSCuba My name is Carlos Gimenez.
I’m the finest Cuban-born Member of the US Congress, and I fully toughen bringing dictator Raúl Castro to justice. 🇺🇸🇨🇺 https://t.co/mXOCqfvFlO
— Obtain. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) Might additionally 15, 2026
CIA visit increases diplomatic tension
The information about the possible accusation emerged the same day that the director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, held meetings in Havana with Cuban officials and with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as “Raulito”, considered one of the most trusted men of the former Cuban president.
According to US officials cited by local media, Ratcliffe conveyed a direct message from the White House about Washington’s willingness to discuss economic and security issues, as long as the Cuban government implements “fundamental changes.”
In parallel, federal prosecutors in Miami have intensified investigations directed against members of the Cuban leadership for alleged crimes related to drug trafficking, corruption, immigration violations and financial operations.
Raúl Castro, 94, officially left the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party in 2021, although he continues to be considered one of the most influential figures within the Cuban political system.
The new judicial and diplomatic offensive occurs at a time of deep economic crisis on the island, marked by constant blackouts, fuel and food shortages, in addition to the growing deterioration of relations between Washington and Havana.
Keep reading:
- Cuba officially runs out of oil and with blackouts of up to 22 hours
- Miguel Díaz-Canel says that Cuba is willing to have a dialogue with the US to build a civilized neighborly relationship
- Díaz-Canel describes the US oil blockade against Cuba as “genocidal”
