On Monday, David Alandete, a correspondent for ABC stationed at the White House, announced on his X account that a source within the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed to him that criminal charges against Raúl Castro are expected to be unveiled in Miami on Wednesday. These charges are reportedly linked to the murder of Cuban-American exiles during a rescue operation.
Alandete's post stated: "A source from the Department of Justice in Washington confirms that on Wednesday, criminal charges are anticipated to be announced in Miami against Raúl Castro for the murder of exiles during a rescue operation."
The leak aligns with a report from the Miami Herald, which cited two sources familiar with the investigation. They indicated that a federal grand jury indictment against Castro is set to be disclosed on Wednesday, May 20, at Miami's Freedom Tower. This event, organized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, coincides with Cuba's Independence Day celebrations.
The charges pertain to the downing of two unarmed Cessna aircraft belonging to the organization Brothers to the Rescue. On February 24, 1996, Cuban Air Force MiG fighters shot them down over international waters in the Florida Straits, killing four Cuban-Americans: Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. Their bodies were never recovered.
The International Civil Aviation Organization determined that the shootdown occurred in international airspace, rendering it an illegal act under international law.
Key Evidence and Historical Context
Central to the indictment is a June 1996 audio recording, revealed by journalist Wilfredo Cancio, where Raúl Castro, then the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, is heard discussing the decision: "I said they should try to shoot them down over the territory, but they were entering Havana and leaving... Well, shoot them down at sea when they appear."
Additionally, Congressman James McGovern stated in December 2014 that Castro personally confessed to him, saying, "I gave the order. I am responsible."
Federal Judge James Lawrence King once ruled that Cuba acted with "outrageous disregard for international law and basic human rights" by killing four individuals in international airspace.
Legal and Political Ramifications
Families of three victims received a civil settlement of $187 million, though Cuba refused to pay. However, Washington authorized the release of $93 million from frozen Cuban assets to the families.
The looming indictment follows years of pressure from Cuban-American congressmen—Rick Scott, Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, and María Elvira Salazar—who formally requested the Justice Department to prosecute Castro.
In November 2025, the DOJ charged former Cuban pilot Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez with immigration fraud for concealing his military history related to the shootdown.
By March 2026, the Florida Attorney General reopened the criminal investigation into the incident.
When asked about the possible charges aboard Air Force One last Thursday, President Donald Trump refrained from confirming: "I'll let the Department of Justice speak. But they need help, as you know."
José Basulto, leader of Brothers to the Rescue, who piloted a third aircraft and escaped the shootdown, expressed caution last Saturday: "I remain skeptical," he told Telemundo 51, until any criminal indictment materializes.
Raúl Castro, who will turn 95 in June 2026, remains the highest formal authority in Cuba as the first secretary of the Communist Party, although he has not held the presidency since 2018.
Three decades after the incident, the potential criminal charges come amidst the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign, which has imposed over 240 new sanctions on Cuban entities and officials since January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raúl Castro's Potential Charges
What are the charges against Raúl Castro expected to be?
The charges are anticipated to be related to the murder of Cuban-American exiles during a rescue operation, specifically the downing of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft in 1996.
What evidence supports the charges against Castro?
Key evidence includes a 1996 audio recording of Raúl Castro discussing the decision to shoot down the aircraft, as well as a personal confession to Congressman James McGovern.
How have the families of the victims been compensated?
Families of three victims received a $187 million civil settlement, with $93 million being authorized by Washington from frozen Cuban assets.