Ex-president of Cuba responds for conspiracy to murder US citizens in attack that shot down two aircraft
The United States government charged this Wednesday (May 20, 2026) the former president of Cuba, aged 94, and 5 other people. According to the head of the country’s Department of Justice, Todd Blanche (Republican Party), the accusation refers to the shooting down of two aircraft belonging to a group of exiled Cubans, on February 24, 1996. Four men died in the attack. Three were Americans.
Castro is charged with conspiracy to murder US citizens, 4 counts of murder and two counts of destroying aircraft. According to the indictment, the aircraft were shot down over international waters.
“President Trump is committed to restoring a simple but important principle: If you kill Americans, we will come after you — no matter who you are, no matter what title you have, and in this case, no matter how much time has passed.”declared Blanche.
attack on planes
The accusations deal with the attack on the group’s planes Brothers to the Rescue. The Miami-based volunteer organization of Cuban exiles carried out humanitarian missions in the Florida Straits.
On February 24, 1996, Cuban air force MiG fighter jets fired missiles at 2 Cessna planes. Armando Alejandre Jr, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña and Pablo Morales died in the attack.
The former president, brother of Fidel Castro, is indicated as being responsible for authorizing the attack. According to the indictment, the group of volunteers searched for refugees in the waters between Cuba and Florida.
