Raul Castro indicted in U.S. over 1996 plane incident

On May 20, 2026, U.S. authorities announced a federal indictment against former Cuban President Raul Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by the group 'Brothers to the Rescue.' The incident resulted in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans. The indictment, filed in a Miami federal court on April 23, includes charges of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, four counts of murder, and two counts of aircraft destruction. Five other individuals are also named as co-defendants in the case. At the time of the incident, the now 94-year-old Castro served as Cuba's Minister of Defense. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the move reflects the administration's commitment to holding those who target U.S. citizens accountable. Cuba has not officially responded to the indictment, and there is no indication that the government will facilitate Castro's extradition. While analysts view the move as a significant escalation in U.S.-Cuba relations, President Donald Trump has stated he does not intend to escalate the situation into a military conflict.