US Prepares Indictment Against Former Cuban President Raul Castro Over 1996 Shootdown

The US Justice Department is preparing to seek criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro over his alleged role in the 1996 downing of planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue , according to AP, Reuters and other US media reports.

The proposed indictment, which still requires approval from a grand jury , could reportedly be announced in Miami as early as next Wednesday. The case centres on the February 24, 1996 incident in which Cuban MiG fighter jets shot down two civilian aircraft, killing four Cuban exile activists.

At the time, Castro was Cuba’s defence minister and head of the armed forces. US investigators maintain the aircraft were flying in international airspace, a conclusion also reached by the International Civil Aviation Organization, while Cuba has long argued the planes violated Cuban territory.

The renewed investigation follows the creation earlier this year of a special task force by the US Attorney’s Office in Miami to examine possible cases against senior Cuban officials. Previous US attempts to prosecute Cuban officials over the incident resulted only in charges against three military officers in 2003, none of whom were extradited.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana, with President Donald Trump increasing sanctions and fuel restrictions on Cuba while warning of possible stronger action against the communist-run island.