Jeanette M. Nuñez, the president of Florida International University (FIU), issued a statement on Wednesday in light of the criminal charges brought against Raúl Castro and five co-defendants of the Cuban regime for the murder of four members of the group Brothers to the Rescue, who were shot down in 1996. She reaffirmed the university's commitment to supporting a democratic transition in Cuba.
"Today, we stand on the brink of justice and accountability. The charges against Raúl Castro and his co-defendants for the murder of four members of our community are long overdue," Nuñez wrote in the statement dated May 20, 2026.
The four victims—Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales—were killed on February 24, 1996, while conducting humanitarian missions to search for Cuban rafters in international airspace aboard unarmed Cessna planes.
Nuñez emphasized FIU's historical ties with the families of the slain men and mentioned the university's College of Law which hosts the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, named in honor of one of the victims.
Justice and Legacy: A Personal Connection
Nuñez highlighted a symbolic connection: the federal prosecutor who secured the charges, Jason Reding Quiñones, is a Cuban political refugee's son and a graduate of the same law school.
"The legacy of the four civilians murdered by the Cuban regime lives on, and freedom for the island feels closer than at any time since 1959," Nuñez stated.
FIU's Initiative for a Democratic Transition
Within this context, FIU's president announced the university's readiness to aid the transition to a free and democratic Cuba, grounded in the Democratic Transition Initiative unveiled last Saturday.
This initiative brings together scholars and experts in fields such as economics, medicine, public health, environment, education, technology, infrastructure, security, engineering, art, law, governance, and civil society, all aiming to guide Cuba toward liberty.
FIU will leverage resources from the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, the Cuban Research Institute, FIU's Washington D.C. office, the College of Business, and CasaCuba.
"This work will not be easy. Rebuilding democratic institutions never is," Nuñez acknowledged in the statement.
Renewed Interest in a Historic Case
The shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes gained renewed attention in February 2026, on the 30th anniversary of the incident, with new recordings released by the Nuevo Herald. In March, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier reopened a state investigation into the case.
"We commend the actions of the Department of Justice and honor the memory of those lost. We firmly believe that the Cuban people deserve a future filled with hope and opportunity, and we stand ready to help build it," concluded Nuñez.
Frequently Asked Questions About FIU's Role in Cuba's Future
What charges have been brought against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro and five co-defendants have been charged with the murder of four members of the Brothers to the Rescue organization, who were killed in 1996.
What is FIU's Democratic Transition Initiative?
FIU's Democratic Transition Initiative gathers experts across various fields to support and guide Cuba towards a free and democratic future.
How is FIU involved in the case of Brothers to the Rescue?
FIU maintains historical ties with the families of the victims and honors their legacy through initiatives like the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic.