Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has scheduled a press conference for Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Florida International University (FIU) to provide details about an "arrest warrant" for Raúl Castro. This development relates to Castro's formal accusation by the U.S. federal justice system for his alleged role in the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft in 1996, as reported by NBC6 and Telemundo 51.
On May 20, 2026, the Department of Justice filed federal charges against Raúl Castro, along with five other former Cuban military officers. They face individual charges for four murders, two counts of aircraft destruction, and conspiracy to kill American citizens.
Since then, Castro has been a fugitive from U.S. federal justice, having failed to appear in court. The federal arrest warrant was issued within this framework.
Potential New Developments
As the press conference approaches, it remains uncertain whether a new state warrant will be announced or if it will pertain to the federal charges from May 20. Details about the event are still quite sparse.
The key difference between these warrants lies in their jurisdiction: federal warrants pertain to violations of national laws, while state warrants address crimes committed within Florida's borders.
Symbolic Venue and Historical Context
Holding the event at FIU, a university with a significant Cuban-American community presence in Miami, carries symbolic weight for the Cuban exile community.
On February 24, 1996, Cuban MiG fighters shot down two Cessna 337 planes from Brothers to the Rescue over international waters in the Florida Straits, resulting in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. The first three were U.S. citizens, while Morales was a legal resident. Their remains were never recovered.
At the time of the attack, Raúl Castro, now 95, was Cuba's Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and is accused of ordering the shoot-down.
A key piece of evidence is an 11-minute and 32-second recording from June 1996, released by journalist Wilfredo Cancio in 2006, in which Castro is heard instructing, "Shoot them down over the sea when they show up; and don't consult those with the authority."
Legal Implications and Challenges
The only defendant currently in U.S. custody is Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez, a former lieutenant colonel in the Cuban Air Force, who was extradited to Miami in June 2026 after being convicted on immigration fraud charges.
Uthmeier reopened the state investigation in March 2026, criticizing the Biden administration for stalling the case. "We will leave no stone unturned," the attorney general declared.
Without an extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States, no American arrest warrant, regardless of its level, can be peacefully executed while Castro remains in Cuba. However, the legal proceedings in the United States carry significant symbolic weight in condemning the crimes of the Castro-led Cuban regime, which has persisted for nearly seven decades.
Initial reports suggested Governor Ron DeSantis would attend the Monday event at FIU, but NBC6 and Telemundo 51 later clarified that Uthmeier alone is organizing and leading the event.
Understanding the Legal Proceedings Against Raúl Castro
What are the charges against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro faces charges including four counts of murder, two counts of aircraft destruction, and conspiracy to kill American citizens.
Why is the press conference being held at FIU?
The press conference is being held at FIU to symbolize the connection with the Cuban-American community in Miami.
What is the significance of the 1996 recording involving Raúl Castro?
The 1996 recording is crucial evidence as it captures Castro allegedly giving the order to shoot down the Brothers to the Rescue planes.
Can Raúl Castro be extradited to the United States?
Currently, Raúl Castro cannot be extradited to the United States as there is no extradition treaty between the U.S. and Cuba.