1996 incident

The United States has issued a federal criminal indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, charging him with conspiracy to kill US nationals, murder, and other offenses. These charges stem from a 1996 incident where Cuba shot down two humanitarian planes, resulting in the deaths of four US citizens. The indictment represents a significant escalation of the Trump administration's efforts to pressure Cuba's communist regime. Castro, 94, is accused in Miami, Florida, in connection with this long-standing event. The renewed focus on the 1996 incident highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Cuba and the administration's strategy of utilizing legal actions to target Cuban leadership.