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MNN US · May 16, 2026 · 1 min read

US to criminally indict ex-Cuban leader Raúl Castro over 1996 plane downing

What happened: The US government is reportedly preparing to bring criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, possibly as soon as next week. The case centres on Cuba's shooting down of two planes in 1996.

Why it matters:

  • It marks a rare legal move against a former head of state related to Cold War-era actions.
  • The charges could affect US-Cuba relations and impact families of the victims involved.

MNN Take: The US is pursuing accountability for a decades-old incident involving the loss of civilian lives, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Sources: BBC US & Canada