US Plans to Indict Raul Castro Over 1996 Plane Downing

The United States plans to indict former Cuban President Raul Castro, according to a U.S. Department of Justice official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The potential charges focus on the downing of aircraft and relate specifically to the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, as previously reported by CBS.

The timing of the indictment, which would need grand jury approval, remains unclear but is described as imminent. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with President Donald Trump's administration imposing a blockade on the island by threatening sanctions against countries supplying fuel to Cuba. This has resulted in power outages and significant economic blows to the Cuban economy.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida has been investigating potential criminal charges against senior Cuban government officials. Earlier this year, officials from both countries acknowledged ongoing talks, but negotiations appeared to falter amid the U.S. fuel blockade. On Thursday, however, the Cuban government confirmed a meeting with CIA chief John Ratcliffe, who offered $100 million in humanitarian assistance contingent on Cuba making 'fundamental changes.'

Indicting Castro would mark a significant escalation in U.S.-Cuba relations, which have deteriorated since Trump took office for his second term in 2025. The Trump administration has repeatedly expressed its desire to topple Cuba's communist-led government, with the president warning that Cuba is 'next' after the U.S. military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The nation of 11 million people has faced severe fuel shortages and blackouts, with Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy confirming on Thursday that the country had completely run out of diesel and fuel oil.