The US justice department is reportedly preparing to indict aging Cuban leader Raúl Castro in the coming days over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago.
The reported charges, which would need to be approved by a US grand jury, emerged as the director of the CIA travelled to Cuba to meet officials in Havana. Castro, 94, stepped down as Cuban Communist Party leader in 2021, ending his family's more than half a century in power. He led the country for 15 years, stepping in after his brother, Fidel, resigned.
The potential indictment is the latest move in a US pressure campaign that has included an oil blockade and widespread sanctions. The charges are said to centre on the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the US activist-humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. Unnamed US Department of Justice (DoJ) officials told US media the indictment could come as soon as next Wednesday.
Asked about the reported indictment plan, President Donald Trump remarked that he would let the DoJ comment, while emphasizing the dire situation in Cuba. The charges stem from the incident on February 24, 1996, that resulted in the death of four people aboard the planes. The Cuban government contends that Brothers to the Rescue violated Cuban airspace; however, investigations found the attack occurred over international waters.
The Cuban government has yet to comment on the impending indictment, but Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated that Cuba would continue its path towards sovereignty despite US sanctions. This indictment plan adds pressure on Castro amid US goals to change Cuba's communist leadership and the long-standing embargo on the island. Furthermore, a CIAs official indicated that progress requires significant changes from the Cuban government.
The reported charges, which would need to be approved by a US grand jury, emerged as the director of the CIA travelled to Cuba to meet officials in Havana. Castro, 94, stepped down as Cuban Communist Party leader in 2021, ending his family's more than half a century in power. He led the country for 15 years, stepping in after his brother, Fidel, resigned.
The potential indictment is the latest move in a US pressure campaign that has included an oil blockade and widespread sanctions. The charges are said to centre on the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the US activist-humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. Unnamed US Department of Justice (DoJ) officials told US media the indictment could come as soon as next Wednesday.
Asked about the reported indictment plan, President Donald Trump remarked that he would let the DoJ comment, while emphasizing the dire situation in Cuba. The charges stem from the incident on February 24, 1996, that resulted in the death of four people aboard the planes. The Cuban government contends that Brothers to the Rescue violated Cuban airspace; however, investigations found the attack occurred over international waters.
The Cuban government has yet to comment on the impending indictment, but Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated that Cuba would continue its path towards sovereignty despite US sanctions. This indictment plan adds pressure on Castro amid US goals to change Cuba's communist leadership and the long-standing embargo on the island. Furthermore, a CIAs official indicated that progress requires significant changes from the Cuban government.
