U.S. charges Raúl Castro with murder

U.S. murder charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, brother of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, mark a major escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government

Raúl Castro (right) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left), who is making more assertive U.S. role in Latin America key part of his legacy


CUBA
MEXICO
FLORIDA (U.S.)
GULF OF MEXICO
Straits of Florida
CARIBBEAN SEA
Miami
Santa Clara
Santiago de Cuba
Guantanamo Bay (U.S. naval base)
Havana
Bay of Pigs
300km
185 miles

Feb 24, 1996: Cuban MiG fighter jet shoots down two Cessna aircraft operated by Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue, killing four

May 20, 2026: U.S. confirms deployment of USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in Caribbean


RAÚL CASTRO PROFILE

1931: Raúl born in Cuba

1959: Joins brother Fidel Castro in revolution that overthrows U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and establishes communist rule

1959-2000s: Serves for decades as defence minister, consolidating influence over military and state institutions

1961: Helps repel U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion; later directs Cuban military operations abroad, especially in Africa

2016: Emerges as Cuba’s dominant political figure following Fidel’s death

2006: Becomes acting president after Fidel’s illness; formally assumes presidency in 2008

2018: Steps down as president, but retains title of “army general”

2020s: President Miguel Díaz-Canel widely viewed as governing with Castro’s backing

May 20, 2026: Raúl Castro, 94, charged with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals over 1996 downing of two planes


Sources: Reuters, BBC
Picture above shows Brothers to The Rescue plane, similar to two planes shot down
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images
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