Acting AG Todd Blanche makes an announcement in Miami in conjunction with a ceremony to honor the victims of the Brothers to the Rescue Murders of 1996.
Former Cuban PresidentRaúl Castrohas been indicted in connection to his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue.
The indictment, which aFloridagrand jury returned in April, was unsealed Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said during an announcement in Miami on Wednesday. It charges Castro with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft and four separate counts of murder, Blanche revealed.
The indictment stems from a February 1996 incident in which four Americans — Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña. Pablo Morales — were flying in civilian aircraft when Cuban military aircraft shot their planes down in international waters and killed them, the indictment alleges, according to Blanche.
"They were unarmed civilians. were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits,"Blanchesaid.
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"As alleged in the indictment, Raúl Castro. five co-defendants participated in a conspiracy that ended with Cuban military aircraft firing missiles at those planes and killing four Americans," he continued.
Cuba's President Raul Castro addresses the Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana. Cuba, in a file photo from April 16, 2016.(Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate/AP)
"Nations and their leaders cannot be permitted to target Americans. Kill them, and not face accountability," Blanche also said.
Joining Blanche in announcing the indictment were United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason A. Reding Quiñones, Deputy FBI Director Christopher Raia and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The indictment comes amid rising tensions in the Caribbean. a series ofcomments from Trumpand his surrogates hinting at a regime change in Cuba.
Uthmeier also hinted at a leadership change Wednesday.
"There can be no future for a free Cuba so long as the Castros. their criminal gang of thugs remain in power," Uthmeier said, to thunderous applause from the Miami crowd. "We now have the leaders that will pursue that which is right. just," Uthmeier added, concluding with "get ready, there's more to come. God bless America and God bless the free state of Cuba."
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