DOJ pushing to indict Raúl Castro over 1996 downing of civilian planes, officials say

Key Points:

• The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to indict 94-year-old Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes on a volunteer mission, which resulted in the deaths of four Cuban Americans.
• The effort reflects increased frustration within the Trump administration regarding Cuba's resilience amid U.S. sanctions and political pressure, including recent protests and geopolitical developments.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently met with Cuban officials in Havana as part of a broader multi-agency investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
• Cuba denies posing a threat to U.S. national security and rejects allegations of terrorism sponsorship, while the 1996 incident remains a contentious issue in U.S.-Cuba relations, with the U.S. Congress affirming the planes were unarmed and posed no threat.
• It is unclear whether the case against Raúl Castro has been presented to a grand jury for indictment, and the Trump administration continues to explore legal actions against members of the Cuban regime.