U.S. Indicts Former Cuban President Raúl Castro Over 1996 Plane Shootdown
The United States has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
On May 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, 94, charging him with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft, and murder. The charges stem from the February 24, 1996, incident where Cuban military jets shot down two unarmed civilian planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including three U.S. citizens.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the commitment to accountability, stating,
"Over three decades later, we are committed to holding those accountable for the murders of four brave Americans: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales."
The indictment also names five Cuban military officials: Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez. All are charged with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, while Castro and Perez-Perez face additional counts of murder and destruction of aircraft.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the charges as politically motivated, accusing the U.S. of distorting the events surrounding the 1996 shootdown. The indictment comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, following the U.S. capture of Venezuela's former president and Cuban ally, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this year.
While Castro retired as head of the Cuban Communist Party in 2021, he is believed to maintain significant influence within the Cuban government. The U.S. has intensified pressure on Cuba through sanctions and a fuel blockade, exacerbating the island's economic challenges.