The United States has issued criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro and five co-defendants for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes that killed four people. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche described the indictment as a historic moment, saying senior Cuban regime leadership has been charged in the United States for acts of violence resulting in American deaths. The charges are expected to increase tensions between Cuba and the United States. The Trump administration has escalated sanctions and imposed a de facto fuel blockade to pressure leadership change in Havana. Trump said the United States will not tolerate hostile operations near its territory. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the shootdown legitimate self-defence and said documentary evidence shows no reckless actions and no violation of international law.
"“For the first time in nearly 70 years, senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in this country, in the United States of America, for acts of violence resulting in the deaths of American citizens. Nations and their leaders cannot be permitted to target Americans, kill them, and not face accountability.”"
"“Since returning to office for a second term, Trump has escalated sanctions and implemented a de facto fuel blockade against the island, in a bid to prompt leadership change in Havana. On Wednesday, Trump said, America will not tolerate a rogue state with hostile foreign military, intelligence and terror operations just ninety miles [145km] from us. We will not rest until people of Cuba once again have freedom.”"
"“Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, released a video statement on X in which he addressed the Cuban people. He blamed the current economic and humanitarian problems in Cuba on its leadership, and he reiterated the US government's offer of $100m in humanitarian assistance in exchange for reform.”"
"“Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, however, described the 1996 shootdown as an act of legitimate self-defence. He added that the US knows full well for there is abundant documentary evidence that no reckless actions were taken, nor was international law violated.”"
#us-cuba-relations #criminal-indictment #raul-castro #sanctions-and-fuel-blockade #aviation-incident
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