On Wednesday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly defended Raúl Castro shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice filed federal charges against the former Cuban president. The charges relate to the downing of two civilian aircraft from the group Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, an incident that resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
In a lengthy post on social media platform X, Díaz-Canel criticized the indictment as a "political maneuver lacking any legal foundation, intended solely to bolster a fabricated case to justify the folly of a military assault on Cuba."
The communist leader attributed the charges to "the arrogance and frustration experienced by the representatives of the empire due to the unwavering strength of the Cuban Revolution and the unity and moral fortitude of its leadership."
Defending Past Actions
Díaz-Canel staunchly defended the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996. This incident is the basis for the formal charges against General Castro and five other Cuban military officials by the U.S. justice system.
He maintained that Cuba acted "in self-defense, within its jurisdictional waters" on that day. He also claimed that the U.S. administration at the time had been warned "more than a dozen times" about the alleged airspace violations by Brothers to the Rescue, which he labeled a "narco-terrorist organization."
Accusations and Praise
The Cuban president argued that there is no legal basis for the proceedings and accused the United States of "lying and manipulating" events that transpired nearly three decades ago. At the same time, he praised Castro, describing him as a leader with "ethical stature" and "humanistic sense," asserting that his "best defense" is "the love of his people."
Díaz-Canel also accused the U.S. of carrying out "extrajudicial executions of civilian vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific."
Details of the Indictment
The charges, announced on Wednesday—coinciding with Cuba's Independence Day—include conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder. These were unveiled by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at Miami's Freedom Tower.
"For almost 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have awaited justice," Blanche stated.
The four victims, Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, all Miami residents, were never recovered after Cuban MiG-29 jets attacked them over international waters in the Florida Strait.
A crucial piece of evidence in the indictment is a June 1996 audio recording in which Castro commands: "Shoot them down over the sea when they appear; do not consult those who have the authority."
Additionally, over 10,000 pages of declassified FBI documents reveal a planned "Operation Venice," indicating premeditation of the attack starting February 13, 1996.
Besides Castro, the indictment includes five Cuban military officers: Lorenzo Alberto Pérez-Pérez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raúl Simanca Cárdenas, and Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez.
Reactions and Political Tensions
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also responded, labeling Marco Rubio a "spokesperson for corrupt and revenge-driven interests," while the Cuban Embassy in the U.S. dismissed the proceedings as "deceptive."
In contrast, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar welcomed the indictment with a powerful statement: "Today marks the beginning of the end for the Castro family."
Despite the historical significance of this announcement, the indictment is largely symbolic. Raúl Castro, nearing 95 years old, has never set foot on U.S. soil, and there is no extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States.
Key Questions on the U.S. Indictment Against Raúl Castro
Why is Raúl Castro being indicted by the U.S.?
Raúl Castro is being indicted by the U.S. for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
What evidence supports the charges against Raúl Castro?
The indictment includes a 1996 audio recording where Castro orders the planes to be shot down, along with over 10,000 pages of declassified FBI documents that suggest the attack was premeditated.
What are the potential consequences of this indictment?
While the indictment is largely symbolic due to the lack of an extradition treaty and Castro's age, it could increase diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Cuba.