US charges Raúl Castro over 1996 plane shootdown (opens in new tab)

The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges in Miami against former Cuban President Raúl Castro over his alleged role in the Feb. 24, 1996, shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, which killed four people. Castro, 94, was Cuba’s defense minister at the time; the indictment charges him with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft and four counts of murder. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the...