Florida issues arrest warrant for Raul Castro over 1996 downing of two aircraft
In short
A Florida court has issued an arrest warrant for Raul Castro, 95, the former Cuban leader, over the 1996 shooting down of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft, Russian outlets reported on 19 October, citing NBC. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called it a "pathetic circus", and Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the warrant on 20 October.
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A Florida judge has signed an arrest warrant for Raul Castro, 95, the former Cuban leader, in the case over the destruction of two civilian aircraft in 1996, Russian outlets reported on 19 October, citing NBC. Vedomosti, citing NBC 6, says Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan of Florida's 11th judicial circuit signed it and that it was issued at state level. Interfax, citing EFE, says she signed it on 16 October on a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The RIA Novosti headline instead says Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Vedomosti says Uthmeier planned to present details at a press conference at Florida International University. RIA Novosti quoted him as telling journalists that Castro "gave the order to shoot down these planes" and "called for murder". [ 3 , 4 ]
The case concerns 24 February 1996, when two Cessna aircraft belonging to the Cuban-emigre organisation Brothers to the Rescue were shot down by Cuban fighters. Four people died, three of them US citizens, according to Kommersant one of them a Cuban citizen with US permanent residence. Castro was Cuba's defence minister at the time. According to the US investigation, the aircraft were over international waters. Kommersant says Cuban representatives claimed the planes violated Cuban airspace, and RIA Novosti says an ICAO investigation concluded the attack took place in neutral territory. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
On 20 May the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against Castro and five other Cubans. They face four counts of murder, two of destroying aircraft and conspiracy to kill US citizens. Vedomosti says the department allowed for the possibility of the death penalty, and that Diaz-Canel had called the charges politically motivated and described the 1996 actions as lawful self-defence. [ 3 , 5 ]
On 19 October Diaz-Canel called the warrant a "pathetic circus", according to Interfax citing EFE. He said the "shabby circus in Miami" had a pre-election context and no legal or practical sense, and that the move deserved resolute condemnation. [ 6 , 7 ]
On 20 October Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed "categorical rejection and resolute condemnation" of the warrant issued by a judge in Miami. It warned that further escalation around Cuba could destabilise Latin America and the Caribbean. Kommersant says the ministry sees the charges, brought after 30 years, as a wish to "settle scores" with the former head of state. [ 14 , 16 , 17 ]
On 21 October Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said the warrant has no legal basis and linked it to Washington's pressure campaign against Havana. A Kommersant analysis says Castro is unlikely to be taken to a US prison, but that the ruling fits the US policy of increasing pressure on Cuba to isolate it fully. [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]
Why it matters
The warrant adds a legal step to the dispute between Washington and Havana, and Russia and Cuba have both condemned it. Kommersant says the 95-year-old Castro is unlikely to be brought to a US prison, but that the decision fits US policy of increasing pressure on Cuba.
Key facts
- A Florida judge signed an arrest warrant for Raul Castro, 95, over the destruction of two civilian aircraft in 1996, NBC 6 reported. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Vedomosti says the warrant was issued at Florida state level. [ 3 ]
- Four people died when the two Cessna aircraft were shot down on 24 February 1996; three were US citizens. [ 3 , 5 ]
- On 20 May the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against Castro and five other Cubans on four counts of murder, two of destroying aircraft and conspiracy to kill US citizens. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the warrant a "pathetic circus" with a pre-election context, according to Interfax citing EFE. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed "categorical rejection and resolute condemnation" of the warrant on 20 October. [ 12 , 14 , 16 ]
- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said the warrant has no legal basis. [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A Florida court issued an arrest warrant for Raul Castro over the 1996 destruction of two aircraft. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Castro and five other Cubans were charged on 20 May with four counts of murder, two of destroying aircraft and conspiracy to kill US citizens. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the issuing of the warrant. [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
- Diaz-Canel called the warrant a "circus". [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Cuba's Foreign Minister said the warrant has no legal basis. [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]
Still unclear
- Who issued the warrant. Vedomosti, Kommersant and Interfax say a Florida judge signed it. The RIA Novosti headline says Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued it.
- When the warrant was signed. Outlets reported it on 19 October, but Interfax says Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan signed it on 16 October.
- Where the aircraft were shot down. The US side says over international waters, and RIA Novosti says an ICAO investigation concluded the attack took place in neutral territory. Cuban representatives said the planes violated Cuban airspace.
- Whether Castro can be brought to the United States. Kommersant says it is unlikely; the documents give no sign of any step to detain or extradite him.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reported, citing NBC, that a US warrant had been issued for Raul Castro (19 October). [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reported that Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan had signed the warrant (19 October). [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti quoted Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier from Washington (19 October). [ 4 ]
- Interfax reported Diaz-Canel calling the warrant a "pathetic circus" (19 October). [ 6 ]
- TASS reported the Russian Foreign Ministry's condemnation (20 October). [ 12 ]
- TASS reported that the Cuban Foreign Ministry said the warrant had no legal basis (21 October). [ 19 ]