U.S. Indicts Raul Castro for Murder Conspiracy Charges

The U.S. government has indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro for conspiracy to commit murder related to the 1996 incident where Cuban forces shot down two planes, killing three American citizens. Fidel Castro, Raul's brother, had already taken responsibility for the incident, stating he ordered the military to shoot down the planes that violated Cuban airspace.

The indictment, unsealed on May 20, 2026, is seen as lacking legal foundation, as civil law does not permit vicarious liability. Critics argue that the charges serve as a desperate attempt to undermine the Cuban government and distract from U.S. military actions in the Middle East.

The indictment follows a series of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which aimed to change Cuba's leadership. U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labeled Cuba a national security threat, while the likelihood of a peaceful resolution remains low amid economic pressures on the Cuban government.