Reps. Carlos A. Gimenez (R) and María Elvira Salazar (R), two Florida Cuban American lawmakers, commended the state of Florida’s recently secured arrest warrant against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
The lawmakers' reactions follow Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's announcement that the state obtained the warrant on Castro for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with his alleged role in the shootdown of two unarmed civilian planes 30 years ago.
AG Uthmeier's announcement comes five months after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its plans to indict Castro as part of an effort to prosecute senior Cuban Communist Party officials.
Rep. Gimenez Affirms It's Not Long Till Accountability Is Reached
“As the only Cuban-born Member of Congress, our community has been waiting for this day for decades!” Congressman Gimenez wrote on X. “Raúl Castro is a war criminal & must be held accountable for his countless crimes against humanity and role in the murder of innocent Americans.”
"The top brass of the Castro-communist dictatorship will have to face the consequences of their crimes and pathetic actions. It's not long now," Congressman Gimenez followed up, possibly alluding to U.S. intervention.
"Accountability Does Not Expire," Rep. Salazar Asserts
Congresswoman Salazar praised Florida's achievement, asserting that Castro will finally be held accountable for his actions.
Thirty years is a long time to wait for justice. It is not long enough to erase murder.
The families of the Brothers to the Rescue victims have carried this fight for three decades. Today, the law is still moving in their direction.
Raúl Castro should have to answer for what happened on February 24, 1996.
Accountability does not expire.
— Rep. María Elvira Salazar (@RepMariaSalazar) October 19, 2026
Potential Capture of Castro?
Following former Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro's capture in early 2026, the question now is whether the U.S. will conduct a similar approach to secure Castro's arrest.
Both Reps. Gimenez and Salazar have called on the Trump administration to liberate Cuba from its current communist regime.
With Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the helm of foreign affairs in the Western Hemisphere, could this warrant finally grant the White House authority to repeat Venezuela's regime change?
