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We begin tonight here with the breaking news. A major escalation between the US and Cuba after the US took action in Venezuela, then Iran. Tonight, President Trump now saying, quote, "We have Cuba on our mind." Tonight, the Justice
US charges former Cuban President Raul Castro with murder for 1996 shootdown of humanitarian planes, escalating tensions between US and Cuba.
Key Takeaways
- Raul Castro is formally charged with murder for the 1996 shootdown of humanitarian planes.
- The US aims to bring Castro to trial, raising questions about extradition or capture methods.
- The indictment intensifies US-Cuba tensions amid broader US foreign policy moves.
- Cuba strongly rejects the charges and warns of possible violent consequences.
- The Cuban exile community in Miami views the indictment as a hopeful sign for political change.
Summary
- The US Justice Department indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro, now 94, for murder related to the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes.
- The planes belonged to the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, and four people, including three Americans, were killed.
- Raul Castro was Cuba's Minister of Defense at the time and is accused of orchestrating the attack.
- The indictment was announced in Miami by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch, highlighting the desire to bring Castro to US justice.
- There is speculation about how the US might secure Castro's presence, including the possibility of forceful capture.
- The Cuban government condemned the indictment as a farce and warned of potential military conflict if attacked.
- Miami's Cuban community, especially in Little Havana, welcomed the indictment as a step toward freedom and change in Cuba.
- US officials, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, linked Cuba's government to economic hardships faced by its people.
- The indictment adds to recent US actions against Venezuela and Iran, signaling increased US pressure on Cuba.
- The situation remains tense with ongoing diplomatic and security implications.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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Department unsealing an indictment against former Cuban President Raul Castro, the brother of the late longtime President Fidel Castro. The two brothers ruled Cuba for decades. Raul Castro, now 94, tonight charged with murder after the shootdown of two civilian
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planes out of Florida in 1996. Four people were killed, including three Americans on a humanitarian mission.
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Tonight, Pierre Thomas right here asking acting Attorney General Todd Blanch, "How will you get the 94-year-old Raul Castro to the US? What does this look like? And of course, what comes next for Cuba?" Pierre traveling with the acting
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attorney general to South Florida where the indictment was announced this afternoon. So Pierre Thomas leads us off tonight from Miami.
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Tonight, a motorcade winding through the streets of Miami. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch on his way to make a major announcement about Cuba. USA.
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Then before a cheering crowd of hundreds, Blanch unveiling murder and conspiracy charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro, brother of the late revolutionary dictator Fidel Castro. Today we are announcing an indictment charging Raul Castro and several others with conspiracy to
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kill US nationals. Cuban MiGs shoot down. Raul Castro is accused of orchestrating the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes from the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue. A group that searched international waters looking for Cuban refugees trying to flee their homeland.
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Four people, including three Americans, were on board those planes when Cuba shot them down. At the time, Raul Castro was Cuba's minister of defense. I want to say that we also do not forget the families, the loved ones, and the friends
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who have carried grief and heartache for 30 years. Raul Castro took the reins of the Cuban government after the death of his brother Fidel. Now 94 years old, he's been out of office for years but remains a powerful figure.
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What are the prospects that you could get Raul Castro to the United States to face justice? And what steps are the US willing to take to get him back here?
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Well, we indict men outside of this country all the time. The reason why we indict somebody is because we want them here to face justice in front of a jury of their peers. So, we expect that he will show up
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here, um, by his own will or by another way. That raises questions about whether US troops will travel to Cuba and try to take Castro by force. The same way American forces seized former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro back in
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January, dragging him from his bedroom and flying him to New York where he is in jail facing trial.
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Tonight, rejoicing in Miami's Cuban community, Little Havana. ABC's Matt Rivers speaking to Lordas Bazison, who hasn't been back to Cuba since she fled some 67 years ago. What does this indictment symbolize to you?
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It's finally a step, a big step for freedom in Cuba. And do you think that you will see government change in Cuba in the near term?
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Well, hopefully. Yes. Tonight, President Trump signaling change is at hand. I think this is a very big day, a very important day. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Spanish with this message to the Cuban people, saying their government is the cause of their
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economic hardship. The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel, or food, he says, is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people.
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Pierre Thomas, who was on the air with me this afternoon as this was all unfolding with us live tonight in Miami.
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Pierre, tonight the Cuban government now responding to this indictment. David, tonight Cuba's government calling the indictment a farce based on lies to justify military aggression. Earlier this month in Havana, Cuba's foreign minister telling our Whit Johnson that if the US attacks Cuba, it could lead to
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a bloodbath. David, Pierre Thomas leading us off tonight here. Thanks so much,
Topics:Raul CastroCubaUS indictment1996 plane shootdownBrothers to the Rescuehumanitarian planesMiamiUS-Cuba relationsFidel CastroUS Justice Department
