The U.S. Justice Department and FBI announced a federal indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro Wednesday — the brother of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
He’s facing murder, conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and destruction of aircraft charges, according to The Washington Post.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche took part in the announcement in Miami, home to one of the country’s largest Cuban-American communities.
The indictment, however, is likely to remain symbolic as Castro is unlikely to be extradited to the U.S., unless the U.S. takes aggressive actions to remove Castro from Cuba.
Case stems from 1996 incident
U.S. officials are accusing Cuban leadership of ordering the Cuban Air Force to shoot down civilian planes in 1996.
The two “Brothers to the Rescue” aircraft had departed from Florida and were part of a group that flew missions supporting Cubans trying to leave the island.
The Cuban air force shot down both planes over international waters, killing four Cuban-Americans.
Ongoing tensions with Cuba
The case surfaces as the U.S. continues to increase pressure on Cuba’s government in hopes of turning over Cuba’s communist regime.
The island has faced deep economic struggles, including fuel shortages, repeated blackouts and growing poverty.
Just last week, CIA director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba and met with officials from the country’s interior ministry, where he said the U.S. was prepared to engage on security and economic issues.
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