U.S. authorities are considering prosecution of 94-year-old Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue.
2:04 PM
The United States is weighing formal charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of aircraft operated by the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue, according to sources cited by CBS and Reuters.
The potential indictment would require approval from a grand jury and centers on an incident nearly three decades ago in which four people died when aircraft belonging to the organization were shot down by Cuban forces in international waters, according to the sources. The organization was founded by Cuban exiles engaged in humanitarian activities.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by CBS regarding the reported initiative.
The move forms part of a renewed effort by the Trump administration to increase pressure on the Cuban government, according to sources cited by the media outlets. The effort runs parallel to other diplomatic and economic measures aimed at forcing political changes in Cuba.
The reported consideration of charges against Castro, who is 94 years old, comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana. A CIA director's visit to Cuba preceded the media reports of the potential prosecution.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, U.S. officials have identified other targets beyond Castro within Cuba's leadership structure. However, sources indicated that efforts to effect a change of government face obstacles due to the absence of a viable opposition on the island.
The Florida attorney general announced in March an intention to reopen a previously archived state investigation related to the aircraft downing.
Castro has held no official position for five years, though sources describe him as the patriarch of Cuba's opaque power structure.
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