The United States is preparing an indictment against Raul Castro: Cuba is being taken into a pincer movement again

USA they are preparing charges against the former leader Raul Castro’s Cuba in a 1996 case. Against the backdrop of the head’s visit CIA V Havana this looks like a new stage of pressure on the island.

USA intend to bring charges against the former president Cuba to Raul Castrobrother of the leader of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro. The case is related to an old incident in 1996, when the Cuban military shot down the organization’s planes Brothers to the Rescue. Against the backdrop of the head’s visit CIA John Ratcliffe V Havana this step looks not only a legal, but also an overtly political signal.

The crux of the matter

• US Department of Justiceaccording to American media reports, is preparing charges against 94-year-old Raul Castro.
• The case is related to the episode 1996when Cuban forces shot down the organization’s planes Brothers to the Rescue.
• The charge must be approved grand juryso exact dates have not yet been announced.
• The reports come amid a rare visit by the head CIA John Ratcliffe V Havana and a sharp increase in US pressure on Cuba.

According to Reutersrepresentative US Department of Justice said Washington plans to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro. According to the agency, the charge may be related to the investigation U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

It’s about events 1996when the Cuban Air Force shot down two aid planes Brothers to the Rescuewhich, among other things, searched for Cuban migrants at sea. Four people died then. This episode has long remained one of the most painful points in relationships. USA And cubes.

According to CBS News And NBC Miamifederal prosecutors must present the case to a grand jury, which will decide whether the case will formally move forward. Exactly when this will happen has not yet been specified.

Visit of the head of the CIA to Havana

Reports of possible charges appeared almost simultaneously with the rare visit of the head CIA John Ratcliffe V Havana. According to Associated PressRatcliffe met with senior Cuban officials, including Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castrograndson of Raul Castro and also Minister of the Interior Lazaro Alvarez Casas.

According to ReutersRatcliffe conveyed the President’s message to the Cuban leadership Donald Trump: USA ready for a serious dialogue on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba will make fundamental changes.

In fact, Washington offers Havana negotiations, but at the same time keeps on the table a criminal case against the historical leader of the Cuban government. Diplomacy, of course, can be different, but the option “let’s talk while we prepare an indictment against your former head of state” is already negotiations with a brick in your pocket.

Cuba under energy pressure

The situation on the island deteriorated sharply after the administration Donald Trump increased pressure on fuel supplies. According to Reutersin January 2026, Trump threatened tariffs on countries that supply Cuba oil or petroleum products.

Against the backdrop of the fuel crisis, the Cuban energy system was in serious condition. Reuters reported a partial collapse of the power grid, protests in Havana and long blackouts. In some areas of the capital, people remain without electricity for many hours a day.

President Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel blames the crisis on actions USAwhile recognizing that the situation on the island remains extremely tense. Washington, in turn, speaks of its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance, but links the dialogue with political and economic changes in the country.

According to Reuters, Cuba is considering an American proposal for humanitarian assistance for $100 millionbut is wary of the political conditions and motives of the Trump administration. The Cuban Foreign Ministry insists that assistance must be provided without pressure or interference.

After Venezuela, the pressure on Cuba looks different

The current crisis around cubes unfolds after a sharp change in American policy in the region. In January 2026 USA carried out a military operation in Venezuelaas a result of which the president was captured Nicolas Maduro. This episode became a warning for all countries in the region, which Washington considers part of a system hostile to it.

Against this background, possible charges against Raul Castro looks not like an isolated legal step, but part of a larger line: pressure through sanctions, energy, criminal prosecution, intelligence agencies and the threat of further escalation.

Previously Donald Trump publicly stated that USA can “almost immediately” take Cuba under control. These words caused alarm internationally. Secretary General UN Antonio Guterres called for dialogue and said that there was no military solution to the Cuban crisis.

From revolution to new crisis

Relationship USA And cubes remain conflicting since the victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Fidel Castro overthrew the regime Fulgencio Batistawho enjoyed the support of Washington. After the nationalization of the property of American companies and the rapprochement of Havana with USSR The United States severed diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.

IN 1961 The United States supported the landing of Cuban exiles in Bay of Pigsbut the operation ended in failure. IN 1962 The Cuban missile crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war after the deployment of Soviet missiles in Cuba and the American blockade of the island.

Under the President Barack Obama relations began to soften: restrictions on travel and remittances were eased, embassies were restored, and 2016 Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Cuba in nearly nine decades.

However, when Donald Trump the course changed again. The United States tightened restrictions, then returned Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and after Trump came to power again, the pressure on the island became even tougher.

What does the case against Raul Castro mean?

Legally possible charge against Raul Castro is built around a specific episode – the shooting down of planes Brothers to the Rescue in 1996. Politically, it works much more broadly: Washington is showing that it is ready to use old cases against historical figures of the Cuban regime if this helps increase pressure on Havana.

The question is not only whether 94-year-old Raul Castro really held accountable. The question is what signal the United States is sending to the current leadership of Cuba. After Venezuela, Trump’s threats, fuel pressure and the visit of the head of the CIA, this signal is read quite clearly: Washington is demanding concessions from Havana and demonstrating that the instruments of pressure will only expand.

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