The United States has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and five others over the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft between Cuba and Florida, which killed four people, including three Americans.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced charges including conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder.
Castro, now 94 and head of Cuba’s armed forces at the time of the incident, has not responded personally, while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the case as politically motivated and said Cuba acted in self-defence within its territorial waters.
The charges come amid renewed US pressure on Cuba, including sanctions and criticism of the country’s military-controlled economy, while US officials confirmed an arrest warrant has been issued for Castro.
