The United States has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft that killed four people.
The US Justice Department announced charges against Raúl Castro and five others over the 1996 shootdown of planes near Cuba.
US prosecutors accused Castro of conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder linked to the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr, Carlos Alberto Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche unveiled the charges in Miami, saying the United States “will not forget its citizens.” Some of the charges could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty under US law.
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The incident happened in 1996 when Cuban fighter jets shot down two civilian planes. Both planes belonged to the Cuban-American humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. The attack triggered global condemnation and sharply worsened relations between United States and Cuba.
Current Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed the indictment as politically motivated and accused Washington of distorting the events surrounding the crash.
The charges come as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba through sanctions and diplomatic action.
The case is unlikely to bring Castro to a US courtroom, but it marks one of the most significant legal actions ever taken.
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