US Plans Indictment Against Raul Castro Over 1996 Plane Shootdown

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Washington: According to a US. Department of Justice official on Thursday, the United States is getting ready to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of planes run by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue.

The official stated that, pending grand jury permission, the indictment is expected to be submitted shortly. The issue concerns the downing of two civilian aircraft by Cuba when the Miami-based organization was looking for Cuban migrants who had become stranded at sea.

Four individuals were killed in the February 1996 incident, which also significantly heightened diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba. Havana has long been accused by Washington of consciously attacking unarmed civilian aircraft in international airspace.

Castro, 94, was the president of Cuba from 2008 to 2018 and is the younger brother of the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

The said move aligns with worsening bilateral ties as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration increases pressure on Cuba through diplomatic and sanctions.

Official statements on the issue were withheld by both the U.S. Justice Department and Cuban officials.