U.S. eyes indictment against Raúl Castro, AP sources say

Key Points:

• The U.S. Justice Department is preparing to seek an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of four planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, when he was defense minister.
• The indictment, which requires grand jury approval, would heighten tensions between the U.S. and Cuba amid President Donald Trump's threats of military action and ongoing economic sanctions against the island.
• Experts suggest that while the indictment may appeal to voters in south Florida, it is unlikely to lead to U.S. military intervention in Cuba due to the complex political situation and lack of a clear succession plan.
• The shootdown incident in 1996 severely damaged U.S.-Cuba relations, leading to the Helms-Burton Act that strengthened the U.S. trade embargo and complicated diplomatic engagement.
• Previous legal actions related to the shootdown include the conviction of Gerardo Hernández, a Cuban spy, who was later released in a prisoner swap, while other indicted Cuban military personnel remain beyond U.S. reach in Cuba.