DOJ indicts Raúl Castro over fatal 1996 civilian planes’ shooting
The Justice Department has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his role in the 1996 shooting down of two civilian planes, resulting in the deaths of four Cuban Americans. The charges include conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and murder, announced during a press conference in Miami. This incident remains a significant point of contention in U.S.-Cuba relations, with calls for accountability from Cuban American lawmakers and activists.
- ▪Raúl Castro was indicted for the 1996 shooting down of two civilian planes by the Cuban Air Force.
- ▪The incident resulted in the deaths of four Cuban Americans, prompting calls for justice from their families and lawmakers.
- ▪The indictment was announced on May 20, coinciding with Cuban Independence Day and celebrated by the Cuban American community.
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BREAKING NEWSMay. 20, 2026, 5:35 PM UTCJustice DepartmentJustice DepartmentDOJ indicts Raúl Castro over fatal 1996 civilian planes’ shootingThe 94-year-old former president of Cuba was head of the military when two small airplanes from Brothers to the Rescue, a Cuban exile group, were shot down, killing four Cuban Americans.Raul Castro in Havana on May 1.Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Nicole Acevedo, Carmen Sesin, Ryan J. Reilly, Gary Grumbach and Orlando MatosMIAMI — The Justice Department indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on Wednesday in connection with the 1996 shooting of two civilian planes that killed four Cuban Americans.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Castro, 94, who…
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