Republican Congressman Carlos A. Giménez, the only member of the U.S. Congress born in Cuba, has demanded that Raúl Castro be brought to justice for what he describes as Castro's "countless crimes against humanity." Giménez's statements came in a series of posts on X, coinciding with the revelation of a secret visit to Havana by the CIA Director.
"Raúl Castro is a murderous dictator who must face justice for his countless crimes against humanity," Giménez asserted on his X account, using the hashtag #SOSCuba.
Further cementing his stance, Giménez posted, "My name is Carlos Giménez. I am the only U.S. Congressman born in Cuba, and I fully support bringing dictator Raúl Castro to justice."
High-Level Meetings Amidst Tensions
These declarations emerged shortly after the Cuban regime disclosed that CIA Director John Ratcliffe had met with top government officials in Havana, including Interior Minister General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as "El Cangrejo," Raúl Castro's grandson.
Ratcliffe's visit to Havana marks the highest-level contact between Washington and the Cuban government in decades, occurring during a severe energy and economic crisis on the island.
Support for Firm Stance Against the Regime
Giménez also aligned himself with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements, endorsing "100 percent all of Secretary Rubio's plans against the terrorist regime in Havana."
Rubio had remarked that Cubans "succeed everywhere in the world except in one place: Cuba," warning that the island's economic model "will never change as long as the current leaders remain in power."
A Long-Standing Call for Justice
Giménez's demands are not new. In February 2026, alongside Congress members Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Senator Rick Scott, he sent a letter to President Trump urging the Justice Department to formally accuse Raúl Castro for the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four men: Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
"We unequivocally believe Raúl Castro is responsible for this heinous crime. It's time for him to be brought to justice," the letter stated.
Giménez further claimed that Castro "is recorded on tape saying he ordered the shootdown of one of those planes over international waters by a MiG that killed those four individuals."
Potential Legal Action on the Horizon
In March 2026, Florida renewed a state investigation into the case, which had been closed during the Biden administration. State Attorney General James Uthmeier announced his willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration to hold those accountable.
The Justice Department is reportedly preparing formal charges against Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown, pending grand jury approval.
Giménez's comments highlight the tension between two divergent policies within the Trump administration regarding Cuba: the diplomatic engagement represented by Ratcliffe's visit and the hardline approach led by Cuban-American lawmakers, who caution that any dialogue without criminal justice for regime leaders is unacceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raúl Castro's Legal Challenges
Why is Congressman Carlos Giménez calling for Raúl Castro's prosecution?
Carlos Giménez demands Raúl Castro be prosecuted for his alleged involvement in numerous crimes against humanity, including the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes.
What was the outcome of the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue incident?
The 1996 incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals when two planes were shot down over international waters, an act attributed to orders from Raúl Castro.
How is the U.S. government responding to these allegations against Raúl Castro?
The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly preparing formal charges against Raúl Castro, though these are pending grand jury approval.