The United States is preparing to indict Raúl Castro, the former Cuban president, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to Fox News Digital.
The potential charges against the 94-year-old Castro are emerging following a high-level meeting between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and officials from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior during his visit to the island nation on Thursday.
The initial report of these potential charges was made by CBS News.
Raúl Castro is known as the younger brother of Fidel Castro, Cuba’s long-serving leader who passed away in 2016.
According to US officials who spoke with CBS News, Castro is reportedly facing indictment for his involvement in the downing of planes three decades ago.
The indictment would require approval from a grand jury and focuses on the fatal 1996 incident where planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue were shot down by Cuba, as detailed in the report.
During his meeting on Thursday, Ratcliffe engaged with Cuban officials, including Raulito Rodriguez Castro, Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas, and the head of Cuban intelligence services in Havana, to convey President Trump’s message that the US is willing to engage seriously on economic and security matters, provided Cuba implements fundamental changes.
A CIA official informed Fox News that discussions between Ratcliffe and Cuban officials covered topics such as intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and security concerns, emphasizing that Cuba can no longer serve as a refuge for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere.
Ratcliffe also highlighted that the Trump administration is extending a sincere opportunity for cooperation and emphasized that Trump should be taken seriously, according to sources.
Earlier this month, Trump humorously remarked at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida that the US would be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately.”
“Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish a job,” he stated.
Recently, the Trump administration has intensified sanctions on countries and companies engaging in business with Cuba, notably targeting oil suppliers, adding pressure on Havana amid fuel shortages and widespread power outages.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice for further comment.
