USA files charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro
The long-standing political coldness and tension between the White House and the Island of Freedom have entered a new, more dangerous phase. The United States government has officially filed criminal charges against Raul Castro, the former leader of Cuba and a legend of the revolution.
This was reported by the influential Reuters news agency, citing a high-ranking official in the administration of US President Donald Trump who wished to remain anonymous. So far, White House officials have not clarified exactly what charges are being brought against the former leader.
The 1996 tragedy and leaked information
However, according to several leading American media outlets citing their own sources, this criminal case is directly related to a tragic event that occurred 30 years ago. In 1996, two civilian planes belonging to a Cuban exile organization in the United States were shot down by the Cuban Air Force.
At the time, these planes were on a mission to search for and assist desperate refugees fleeing Cuba in the open sea. As a result of this air attack, four innocent people lost their lives. International observers believe that the charges against Raul Castro, who led the country's defense system at the time, stem from this tragedy.
Reuters notes in its analysis that the opening of a criminal case against the 90-plus-year-old Raul Castro represents “a new low point in diplomatic relations” between the two neighboring countries.
Founder of the Cuban Revolution and Trump's severe blockade
It is worth noting that Raul Castro, along with his brother Fidel Castro, is one of the historical figures who carried out the famous Cuban Revolution in 1959 and founded a new regime on the Island of Freedom. He served in the highest state and military positions for many years. In 2006, following his brother Fidel Castro's serious illness, he led the country as the acting and later official leader. Raul Castro retired in 2018, handing over state governance to a new generation.
However, after Donald Trump returned to power in the US, Washington's political and economic pressure on the Cuban communist government intensified to an unprecedented level. In particular, starting from the beginning of 2026, a brutal fuel blockade was imposed by the US on the island nation.
Today, the White House administration is openly demonstrating on the international stage that it is attempting to overthrow the government of current Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and force a change of power on the island. The latest criminal charge is the culmination of this political struggle.
Do you think that such severe criminal charges brought by the US against Raul Castro could lead to new political unrest and crises in Cuba?
