US May Indict Former Cuban President Raúl Castro, Escalating Pressure on Havana
Ruaridh Nicoll
The US Department of Justice is reportedly preparing to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro, 94, over the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by an exile group, a move that comes amid Cuba's severe fuel crisis and rising bilateral tensions.
US media reports indicate that the Department of Justice is taking steps to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro (94), who has been widely regarded as Cuba's most powerful figure since his brother Fidel Castro died in 2016. If approved by a grand jury, the move would mark a new escalation in tensions between Washington and Havana, similar to the indictment that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
According to sources, the potential indictment is linked to the 1996 shootdown of two light aircraft operated by the Cuban exile group "Brothers to the Rescue," whose planes were intercepted by Cuban fighter jets while dropping leaflets over Havana.
The news of a possible indictment emerged just one day after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana, where he met with Raúl Castro's grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, and other senior Cuban officials. The visit occurred as the Cuban capital experienced widespread protests triggered by a 22-hour blackout, and Cuba's energy minister acknowledged the country is "completely out of fuel oil."
This latest development follows months of tightened US oil sanctions on Cuba, which have allowed only one Russian crude tanker to dock for humanitarian reasons. US officials, including Cuban-born Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have stated they will not change course as long as current leaders remain in power, while President Trump has expressed intentions to "take over" the country.
Amid speculation that the US seeks to sow divisions within the Cuban government, current President Miguel Díaz-Canel held a press conference confirming bilateral negotiations, with former President Raúl Castro in attendance. He said discussions were ongoing.
It remains unclear what came out of the meetings between Cuban officials and CIA Director Ratcliffe. Cuba insists it "poses no threat to US national security," while Washington says it is ready to discuss economic and security issues if Cuba makes "fundamental changes." The US State Department has offered a $100 million assistance package with conditions for reforms, but Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated he would accept aid only without conditions.
Meanwhile, Cuba's 9.5 million people face an acute fuel crisis. With summer temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, residents lack fans to sleep or refrigerators to preserve food. Cuba's economy has been in a five-year slump, pushing many into extreme hardship. One protester told Reuters: "We bang pots and pans just to ask for three hours of electricity. That's all we want."
