On May 20, a Miami federal grand jury unsealed charges against 94-year-old Raúl Castro, Cuba’s defense minister at the time, and former air force officers for downing two unarmed Cessna planes over international waters on February 24, 1996. The attack killed three U.S. citizens—Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandro Jr., and Mario de la Peña—and U.S. resident Pablo Morales during humanitarian flights spotting rafters. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment at Miami’s Freedom Tower, while President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged support for Cuba’s people amid the island’s shortages and U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean. Cuban exiles expressed raw emotion, with one tearing up on Fox News over long-ignored grief and renewed hope for justice.
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