The Justice Department is set to announce criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro on Wednesday. Sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News about the impending indictment.
Castro, aged 94 and brother of Fidel Castro, faces charges linked to Cuba’s deadly shootdown in 1996 of humanitarian planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue. U.S. officials informed CBS News earlier this month about these allegations.
The Justice Department had planned an event at Miami’s Freedom Tower for Wednesday, coinciding with a ceremony honoring victims of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown 30 years ago. Jose Basulto, founder of the group, expressed hope that Castro would be indicted, stating “it’s time for them to pay.”
Despite formally stepping down as leader of Cuba’s Communist Party in 2021, Raúl Castro remains a highly influential figure in the country.