Florida has issued an arrest warrant for former Cuban president Raul Castro over the crash of a U.S. drone

Updated 2026-10-21 · told from many outlets at once

A Florida prosecutor obtained an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, accusing him of ordering the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft that killed four people. The U.S. government formally charged him in federal court on May 20. The incident, involving Cuban MiGs and civilian planes, resulted in four deaths and sparked a major diplomatic crisis between Cuba and the United States.

• The Florida Prosecutor obtained an arrest warrant for Raúl Castro.
• The US government filed a federal accusation against Castro on May 20.
• Two Cuban fighter jets shot down two unarmed civilian aircraft belonging to Hermanos al Rescate in 1996.
• The Florida prosecutor stated Castro ordered the cold-blooded killing of four Florida residents.
• Four people died when the organization's planes were shot down.
• Raúl Castro is accused of shooting two small planes in 1996.
• Russia expressed support for former Cuban president Raúl Castro.
• The warrant accuses the former Cuban leader of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the arrest warrant issued by a Miami judge.
• Florida authorities investigated Castro's role in the attack.
• The International Civil Aviation Organization concluded the planes were over international waters during the shooting.
• Two Cuban agents infiltrated Hermanos al Rescate and monitored naval facilities in Key West.
• Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier stated the shooting was murder.
• The incident caused a major crisis between Cuba and the United States.

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