The United States government is set to prosecute Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz, 94, the President of Cuba between 2008 and 2018, and brother of the late Fidel Castro.
Also charged are Lorenzo Alberto Perez‑Perez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez‑Pardo Rodriguez
In the indictment the Department of Justice announced Wednesday, the defendants face counts relating to the 1996 shootdown of two unarmed U.S. civilian aircraft over international waters.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said America remains dedicated to holding those accountable for the murders of Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
Blanche noted that for the first time in nearly 70 years, senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in the U.S. for alleged acts of violence resulting in the deaths of citizens.
The Acting AG reaffirmed the commitment of President Donald Trump and the DoJ to restore “a simple principle,” declaring: “If you kill Americans, we will pursue you. No matter who you are.”
The targeted aircraft were operated by Brothers to the Rescue (BTTR), a Miami-based organization that conducted humanitarian flights across the Florida Straits to assist Cuban migrants.
According to the allegations, Cuban intelligence agents infiltrated the BTTR in the early 1990s and relayed detailed information about its operations to the Cuban government.
On February 24 1996, as three BTTR aircraft flew from South Florida toward Cuba, military fighter jets under Raúl Castro’s command fired air‑to‑air missiles at two civilian Cessna aircraft.
If convicted, the defendants face the death penalty or life imprisonment for the killing of U.S. nationals. Castro and Perez-Perez face up to five years in prison for the destruction of aircraft.
