Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed disappointment that Fidel Castro passed away without being held accountable in a court of law. He voiced his support for bringing Fidel's brother, Raúl Castro, before U.S. courts regarding the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft.
"I too am eager to see that justice. Justice delayed should not be justice denied. Both Raúl and Fidel should have been brought to justice. That was a missed opportunity," DeSantis stated on Wednesday during an event at the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office headquarters.
His comments came in response to a query from journalist Iván Kasanzew of Martí Noticias, regarding the message he would convey to Cubans and Cuban-Americans anticipating Raúl Castro's appearance before U.S. justice.
These remarks followed just two days after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a state arrest warrant for the 95-year-old Raúl Castro, charging him with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
The charges pertain to the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian planes on February 24, 1996, when Cuban Air Force jets attacked the aircraft over international waters in the Florida Straits.
The attack resulted in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, whose bodies were never recovered.
A Vision for a Free Cuba
During his speech, DeSantis also touched on Cuba's economic and tourism potential, drawing from his experience as a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Guantanamo Bay.
"An incredible coastline, breathtaking topography. A free Cuba would thrive," the governor remarked, suggesting that with freedom and the rule of law, the island could become the Caribbean's most successful nation.
He believes that decades of authoritarian rule have stifled the country's innovation and development, a situation he also blames on Raúl Castro.
"Raúl Castro has been there every step of the way," he noted.
DeSantis reaffirmed his support for legal action against the former Cuban leader: "I would love to see him face justice. I am pleased the attorney general took that step."
The state order, signed on October 16 by Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan, complements a federal indictment issued in May 2026 against Castro and five other former Cuban military officers for their alleged roles in the attack.
Both cases remain open in the judicial system, and the accused retain the presumption of innocence. Raúl Castro's presence in Cuba complicates his potential appearance before U.S. courts, more than three decades after the aircraft shootdown.
Understanding the Legal Actions Against Raúl Castro
What are the charges against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder related to the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft.
Why is Raúl Castro's appearance before U.S. courts challenging?
Raúl Castro's presence in Cuba makes it difficult for him to be brought before U.S. courts, complicating the legal proceedings.
How did the Brothers to the Rescue incident occur?
On February 24, 1996, Cuban Air Force jets shot down two civilian planes from Brothers to the Rescue over international waters, killing four individuals.