US is preparing to indict Raul Castro of Cuba, according to a statement from a US Department of Justice official
The U.S. Department of Justice official announced late on Thursday that the United States intends to indict Cuba’s Raul Castro.
The timing of the possible indictment, which requires approval from a grand jury, was not immediately evident; however, the official indicated that it appears to be imminent.
The anticipated indictment of the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, who is also the brother of Fidel, is expected to center on the downing of aircraft, according to an official who requested to remain anonymous.
CBS has previously reported that the case pertains to the deadly shootdown of planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, an incident that occurred in Cuba.
Officials from Cuba’s foreign ministry did not provide a response to a request for comment outside of regular business hours.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Justice Department has not yet provided a response to the request for comment.
The Trump administration has characterized Cuba’s current communist government as corrupt and incompetent and is pursuing efforts to replace it.
The recent action follows President Donald Trump’s intensified pressure on Cuba, effectively establishing a blockade on the island by threatening sanctions against nations that provide it with fuel, leading to power outages and negatively impacting its economy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida is currently leading an initiative to investigate possible criminal charges against high-ranking officials in the Cuban government.
Officials from both countries recognized earlier this year that discussions were taking place, yet the negotiations seemed to falter due to the ongoing U.S. fuel blockade.
On Thursday, the Cuban government confirmed its meeting with CIA chief John Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe informed intelligence officials in Cuba that the U.S. was ready to discuss economic security matters if Cuba implements “fundamental changes,” according to a CIA official.
