Florida Issues Arrest Warrant for Raúl Castro Over 1996 Shootdown

• •Raúl Castro faces charges for the 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft.
• •Florida's Attorney General emphasizes accountability for the victims.
• •Russia condemns the arrest warrant as a politically motivated act.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an arrest warrant for 95-year-old Raúl Castro, charging him with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder related to the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue. The warrant follows a federal indictment issued earlier in May 2026. Uthmeier stated that Castro ordered the murder of four Floridians, emphasizing Florida's commitment to pursuing justice for the victims. The Cuban government maintains that the shootdown was a legitimate act of self-defense against an airspace violation. Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the warrant, labeling it as a politically motivated act of vengeance. The Kremlin previously criticized the U.S. indictment as bordering on violence. The incident has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with implications for regional stability. The arrest warrant is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to apply pressure on Cuba amid ongoing fuel shortages and economic sanctions.