The USA charges Raúl Castro with murder and destruction of two civilian aircraft in 1996

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Raúl Castro with murder and destruction of aircraft related to the shooting down of two civilian planes on February 24, 1996, off the coast of Havana. Four American crew members died in the attack, and Castro, then Minister of Defense, allegedly authorized the use of force. The Cuban government dismissed the charges as a political provocation. Five others, including a fighter pilot, have also been indicted in this case.