• The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft, according to a senior Trump administration official.
  • The charges, which require grand jury approval, would mark a significant escalation in U.S.-Cuba tensions and target a former head of state for a decades-old incident.
  • The move comes amid a broader Trump administration crackdown on Cuba, potentially impacting bilateral trade and regional diplomacy.

The U.S. Department of Justice is moving forward with plans to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of two unarmed aircraft operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, a senior Trump administration official confirmed. The incident, which killed four crew members, has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-Cuba relations. An indictment would require approval from a grand jury before charges can be formally filed, the official said.

The development represents a rare criminal case against a former head of state and comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Cuba. The administration has already taken a hardline stance, including sanctions and prosecutions tied to historical events. According to people familiar with the matter, the DOJ is focusing on Castro's alleged role in ordering the shootdown, though details of the specific charges remain under seal.

"This is a long-awaited step toward justice for the victims and their families," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Efforts to reach representatives for Raúl Castro were unsuccessful, and the Cuban government has not yet issued a formal response. However, state media is expected to frame any indictment as political interference.

The timing of the indictment, if approved, could further complicate U.S.-Cuba ties, potentially affecting trade and investment. Analysts note that while the legal process may take years, especially given Castro's residence in Cuba and lack of extradition treaty, the symbolic impact is immediate. "This is a high-stakes move that will reverberate across the region," said a Latin America policy expert who requested anonymity. "It puts the Cuban leadership on notice and may embolden other nations to take similar steps."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the year of the aircraft downing as 1995. It occurred in 1996.