The potential for an agreement between the U.S. Government and Raúl Castro is stirring tensions within the Cuban exile community. This development comes as four congress members have urged President Donald Trump to pursue criminal charges against Cuba's Army General for the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes.
As disclosed by Axios, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been engaging in discreet talks with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro's grandson, amid increasing pressure from Washington on Havana.
These discussions, notably excluding President Miguel Díaz-Canel, aim to explore various scenarios for a potential transition in Cuba. However, any understanding that does not include accountability for key regime figures may face backlash from exile communities.
Calls for Raúl Castro's Prosecution
In a letter dated February 13, 2026, Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis urged Trump to have the Department of Justice formally accuse Raúl Castro of his role in the attack on February 24, 1996.
That fateful day claimed the lives of American citizens Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, and Mario de la Peña, along with U.S. permanent resident Pablo Morales. They were on humanitarian missions to locate and aid Cuban rafters.
Raúl Castro is believed to have been part of the chain of command that ordered the action against the aircraft, prompting Republican lawmakers to demand legal action.
"Those who have oppressed, tortured, and killed must face justice, and accountability must start at the top," Díaz-Balart declared.
The congress members argue that the Trump administration is in a "unique" position to address a longstanding injustice, noting that only one individual has been convicted in the U.S. for the incident to date.
The Challenge Facing Marco Rubio
The conversations revealed by Axios place Marco Rubio at the heart of potential negotiations with the real power structure in Cuba.
So far, the State Department has not provided details on the content of these talks, and the Cuban government has yet to acknowledge any formal high-level dialogue.
In this context, the future direction of U.S. policy towards the island could ignite a debate within the exile community between those who prioritize judicial accountability and those open to alternative political transition strategies.
The lingering question is whether the more hardline sectors of the exile community would fully support Washington's chosen strategy in the event of an agreement.
Key Questions About U.S. and Cuba Relations
What are the potential consequences of a U.S.-Cuba agreement?
An agreement between the U.S. and Cuba could lead to significant changes in diplomatic relations and possibly affect the economic and political landscape in Cuba, depending on the terms of any such agreement.
Why are U.S. legislators calling for Raúl Castro's prosecution?
U.S. legislators are calling for Raúl Castro's prosecution for his alleged involvement in the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals with ties to the United States.
How might these developments impact the Cuban exile community?
The Cuban exile community might experience divisions based on whether to prioritize judicial accountability for past actions or to support new political transition strategies in Cuba.