U.S. Justice Department Indicts Former Cuban Leader Raúl Castro Over 1996 Shootdown, Four U.S. Nationals Killed

According to the U.S. Justice Department, on May 21, former Cuban leader Raúl Castro was indicted over a 1996 incident in which Cuban fighter jets shot down two humanitarian rescue aircraft, killing four U.S. nationals including three U.S. citizens. Castro, brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, served as chairman of Cuba's Council of State from 2008 to 2018.

The indictment is the latest escalation in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Cuba's government. The administration has previously imposed sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence departments, revoked Cuba's removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list in January 2025, and sanctioned Cuban military-controlled entities including GAESA.