US indicts ex-Cuban leader over 1996 airliner shoot-down case

The US Department of Justice has announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment charging Raul Modesto Castro Ruz, 94, of Holguin, Cuba, along with Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez, in connection with the 24 February 1996 shoot-down of two unarmed US civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue (BTTR) over international waters.

“Over three decades later, we are committed to holding those accountable for the murders of four brave Americans: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“For the first time in nearly 70 years, senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in the United States for alleged acts of violence resulting in the deaths of American citizens. President Trump and this Justice Department are committed to restoring a simple principle: if you kill Americans, we will pursue you. No matter who you are. No matter what title you hold.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said: “Today’s superseding indictment of Raul Castro and five Castro regime co-defendants is a major step toward accountability in the 1996 murders of four Brothers to the Rescue members - including three US citizens - Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandro Jr, Mario de la Pena, and Pablo Morales. For 30 years these families have waited for answers - and this FBI never forgot. We will continue working with our Justice Department partners to bring to justice those who attacked our civilians.”

US Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida added: “For 30 years, the families of these men have waited. The Miami community has waited. Our country has waited. Today is a step toward accountability. This passage of time does not erase murder. It does not diminish the value of these lives. And it does not weaken our commitment to the rule of law.”

According to the indictment, BTTR was a Miami-based organization conducting humanitarian flights over the Florida Straits to locate Cuban migrants in distress. Cuban intelligence agents allegedly infiltrated the group and relayed flight information to Cuban authorities, which was used in planning the attack.

The indictment charges conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, and murder counts. It alleges Cuban military jets, under Raul Castro’s command, shot down two unarmed Cessna aircraft in international airspace, killing all four occupants.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

By Vafa Guliyeva