Justice Department to Unveil Charges Against Raul Castro Over 1996 Incident
The U.S. Justice Department plans to file charges against Raul Castro regarding the 1996 shootdown of civilian planes by Cuba. The incident involved Cuban jets killing four pilots from 'Brothers to the Rescue.' The U.S. claims the attack occurred over international waters, contrary to Cuba's defense of its airspace.
In a significant move, the Trump administration is preparing to charge Cuba's former president, Raul Castro, in connection with a 1996 episode where Cuban military jets shot down planes, resulting in four deaths. This development was disclosed by a U.S. Justice Department official on the condition of anonymity.
The incident occurred on February 24, 1996, when Cuban aircraft targeted two planes operated by 'Brothers to the Rescue,' a collective of Cuban exile pilots. Cuba maintained that the planes violated its airspace, while the U.S. argued they were shot down over international waters. The International Civil Aviation Organization later supported the U.S. view.
'Brothers to the Rescue,' based in Miami, aimed to find Cuban rafters in the Florida Straits. However, Cuba claimed the group dropped flyers over Havana. The U.S. retaliated at the time with sanctions under President Bill Clinton, yet did not file criminal charges against the Castros.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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