US Charges Raúl Castro Over 1996 Plane Shootdown

The United States has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with conspiracy to kill US nationals and other offenses over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft between Cuba and Florida.

The case accuses Castro and five others of involvement in the shooting down of planes operated by the Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue. Four people were killed, three of them US citizens.

The US Justice Department said the charges included conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft and four counts of murder. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the United States “will not forget its citizens” and confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Castro.

Some of the charges could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty if Castro is convicted.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the indictment “a political maneuver without legal basis” and said Cuba had acted in “legitimate self-defense” in its own waters. Cuban state media condemned what it called “false accusations”.

The announcement was made in Miami before an audience made up largely of Cuban exiles, who welcomed the decision as a long-awaited step. The move comes as Washington continues to increase pressure on the Cuban leadership through sanctions and other measures.

(bbc, bak)