Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement on Thursday regarding the U.S. government's determination to hold Raúl Castro accountable before American justice, though he refrained from disclosing how this would be achieved.
"Raúl Castro openly admits and boasts about ordering the downing of civilian aircraft. I won't divulge our plans to bring him here. Why would I share that with the media? If there's an announcement, you'll hear about it after the fact, not before," Rubio remarked.
These comments followed the Department of Justice's recent declassification of formal charges against Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans, whose bodies were never recovered.
Rubio described Raúl Castro as a "fugitive from American justice" and emphasized the weight of the evidence against him.
A grand jury in the Southern District of Florida approved the indictment on April 23, 2026. It was made public on Wednesday, coinciding with Cuba's Independence Day, by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at the Freedom Tower in Miami.
The charges include conspiracy to commit murder of U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of individual murder. If convicted, Castro faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Implications for U.S.-Cuba Relations
Rubio expanded on the Trump administration's stance towards Cuba, labeling the island as a "failed state" situated just 90 miles from the U.S. coast.
"Should there be a systemic collapse in that country, which is where they are headed, we will be affected by the migration crisis, as well as any violence and instability that occurs there," Rubio asserted. "This directly impacts the national interest of the United States."
The Secretary of State also targeted GAESA, the regime's military enterprise: "It holds $18 billion in assets, yet not a single cent is allocated to the state budget or benefits the Cuban people."
Rubio criticized the Cuban economic system for being ineffective, noting that the regime fails to grasp how to implement reforms, while neighboring countries like Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic provide their citizens with basic freedoms that are denied in Cuba.
Prospects of a Negotiated Settlement
On the possibility of a negotiated agreement, Rubio was candid: although this remains President Trump's preference, he acknowledged that the likelihood is "not high" given the current Cuban leadership.
"They won't be able to wait us out or buy time. We are very serious and highly focused," he warned.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed the charges against Raúl Castro as a "political maneuver without legal basis," while Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez labeled it a "farce," accusing Rubio of being a "spokesperson for corrupt and vengeful interests."
Cuban authorities have also organized a march in front of the Anti-Imperialist Platform in defense of Castro.
One of the five co-defendants, Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez, identified as one of the pilots involved in the shootdown, is already in U.S. custody following his arrest in November 2025. He had entered the country in 2024 under humanitarian parole, concealing his military background.
Key Details on Raúl Castro's Legal Troubles
What charges is Raúl Castro facing?
Raúl Castro is charged with conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of individual murder.
What is GAESA's role in the Cuban economy?
GAESA is a military enterprise with $18 billion in assets. However, none of this wealth contributes to the state budget or aids the Cuban populace.
How is the U.S. government planning to bring Raúl Castro to justice?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not disclose specific plans but emphasized the Trump administration's unwavering intent to hold Castro accountable.