Florida authorities issued an arrest warrant for Raul Castro regarding the 1996 downing of two aircraft that killed four people.
Florida officials issued an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raul Castro. The 95-year-old faces charges for a deadly 1996 incident.
Also, State Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the warrant on Monday. He links the charges to the downing of two unarmed aircraft.
Next, these planes belonged to Brothers to the Rescue. This group helps people flee Cuba. Four people died in the attack.
Then, prosecutors charged Castro with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Uthmeier stated that Florida will continue to seek justice for the victims.
However, the 1996 attack remains a point of deep conflict. The planes were flying over international waters during the incident.
After that, Cuban officials claimed the planes previously violated their airspace. They argued that they issued warnings to the pilots.
Meanwhile, Castro served as defense minister during the 1996 attack. He later became the president of Cuba in 2008.
Still, he retired from his presidential role in 2018. He remains a powerful figure within the Cuban government today.
As a result, the Trump administration is increasing pressure on Havana. They want to see regime change on the island.
For example, the US blocked fuel exports to Cuba earlier this year. This action caused severe power problems for the island.
Finally, federal prosecutors also indicted Castro in May. They charged him with conspiracy to kill US nationals and destroying aircraft.
Now, state and federal officials are working together on this case. They aim to hold the former leader accountable for these deaths.