Federal prosecutors indict Raúl Castro on 1996 murder charges
Caroline MolloyFederal prosecutors on May 20 announced charges against 94-year-old former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, reviving one of the most contentious episodes in the history of U.S.-Cuba relations.
An indictment unsealed in federal court in Miami accuses Castro — who was Cuba’s defense minister at the time — and several other Cuban officials of conspiring to kill U.S. nationals, destroying aircraft, and murdering the four men who were aboard the two unarmed Cessna planes flying over international waters north of Cuba on Feb. 24, 1996.
All four men aboard the planes were killed when the planes were shot down: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. The victims were volunteers conducting humanitarian missions to aid Cuban migrants attempting to flee the island.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges during a ceremony in Miami honoring the victims.
“For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice,” Blanche said. “They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits.”
