U.S. Indicts Raul Castro in 1996 Plane Shootdown

A Florida grand jury indicted Raul Castro and five Cuban pilots on conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft for the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes, which killed four people (three U.S. citizens and a green-card holder). The case underscores decades of U.S.–Cuba tension and, given Cuba’s non-extradition policy, may not lead to a trial in the United States, reflecting renewed pressure on Havana amid ongoing diplomatic friction.