Illustration of planes being shot down with overlay of legal documents related to Raúl Castro's indictment.
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U.S. indicts former Cuban president Raúl Castro in 1996 plane attack

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Kiswahili

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against former Cuban president Raúl Castro on May 20 for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian planes. The charges include conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft and four counts of murder. The action targets the 94-year-old leader and several other former Cuban officials.

A grand jury in Miami returned the indictment on April 23. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the unsealing at the Freedom Tower in Miami on Cuban Independence Day. The charges stem from the February 24, 1996, incident in which Cuban MiG fighters shot down two planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, killing Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña and Pablo Morales.

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Initial reactions on X mix support for holding Raúl Castro accountable for the 1996 downing, skepticism about political timing as a distraction from other issues, and fears of escalation into conflict or regime change.

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Cuban President Díaz-Canel at podium expressing condolences to Iran over Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination, with national flags and portrait.
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Cuban president sends condolences to Iran over Khamenei's death

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Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez expressed condolences to Iran's people and government over the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli attack. He described the act as a flagrant violation of international law and human dignity. In Cuba, he will be remembered as a statesman who strengthened bilateral relations.

Florida reopens probe into 1996 plane shootdown

Florida's attorney general has confirmed the reopening of the criminal investigation into the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, which killed four people, including three U.S. citizens. This move directly implicates Raúl Castro as the main figure. Deemed a crime against humanity, the case does not expire and could lead to an international arrest warrant.

Cuban probe advances into foiled terrorist infiltration attempt

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Cuban authorities are advancing an investigation into a foiled armed infiltration attempt in territorial waters north of Villa Clara, where ten Cubans based in the United States were intercepted. Four died in the confrontation and one more passed away later, while Maritza Lugo, exiled in the US, denies being the main financier as accused by the regime. US authorities have expressed willingness to cooperate.

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