Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar expressed her skepticism on Wednesday regarding the possibility of Raúl Castro being incarcerated in the United States. This comes despite the formal indictment announced today against the former Cuban dictator for the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes.
"I don't think so. I believe they are far more intelligent than Maduro ever was. They will understand the signals from the White House, and Raúl, along with his son and grandson, will leave Cuba," Salazar stated in remarks shared on social media.
Salazar, representing Florida's 27th district, drew a direct comparison to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who was apprehended by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, in Caracas on federal narco-terrorism charges.
According to Salazar, the Cuban regime is adept at reading political climates and acting accordingly, unlike its Venezuelan counterpart.
The congresswoman suggested that the Castro family's wisest course of action would be to step down and seek exile in another country.
"They should relocate to a nation where they hold no significance to Cuba's future. Together, all Cubans can work towards making Cuba a place like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taiwan."
Nevertheless, Salazar hailed the indictment as a long-overdue act of justice: "It's about time he was brought to American justice. With Donald Trump in the White House, their time has finally come."
The Department of Justice announced today the formal charges against 94-year-old Raúl Castro during an event at Miami's Freedom Tower, coinciding with Cuba's Independence Day.
The charges focus on the destruction of two unarmed Cessna planes from Brothers to the Rescue on February 24, 1996. Cuban Air Force MiG-29 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.
A pivotal piece of evidence is a 1996 audio recording in which Raúl Castro, then Minister of the Armed Forces, is heard issuing the order: "Shoot them down over the sea; don't consult those with authority."
Salazar, who had previously warned that the Trump administration was not dealing leniently with the Cuban regime, acknowledged on Wednesday that the indictment is mainly symbolic. There is no extradition treaty between Cuba and the U.S., and Castro has never set foot on American soil.
Regarding the alleged 300 drones in the regime's possession, Salazar dismissed them as a genuine threat: "They're nothing more than a paper tiger. They know better than to use them."
Salazar also called for future accountability for everyone involved in decades of repression: "Nuremberg-style trials for all those at Villa Marista and everyone who has oppressed this poor nation for so many years."
Key Questions About Raúl Castro's Indictment
What are the charges against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro is charged with the downing of two unarmed Cessna planes from Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans.
Why does María Elvira Salazar believe Raúl Castro won’t be imprisoned in the U.S.?
Salazar believes that Raúl Castro and his family are more politically astute than Maduro and will understand the signals from the White House, likely choosing to leave Cuba rather than face U.S. justice.
Is there an extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States?
No, there is currently no extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States, complicating any efforts to bring Raúl Castro to trial on American soil.