Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the state has secured an arrest warrant for Raul 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.
Attorney General Uthmeier announced the warrant while speaking during a press conference at Florida International University this week.
Castro, then as Cuba's defensive minister, is said to have ordered Cuban fighter jet pilots to attack Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based humanitarian group. The attack over the Straits of Florida killed four people, including three U.S. citizens and one legal permanent resident.
"It was not an accident what happened. It was murder," Uthmeier said. "The evidence makes abundantly clear that there was a conspiracy. Spies infiltrated both the Brothers to the Rescue as well as American government offices. Spreading from the Keys up to Miami and throughout South Florida, they reported to the Castro regime."
Today, we announced that our office secured a state arrest warrant for communist dictator RaĂşl Castro, charging him with Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder for the Feb 24, 1996, shootdown of two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue aircraft over international waters.
Raúl… pic.twitter.com/NkgBxCOatM
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) October 19, 2026
The announcement comes after the U.S. indicted Castro in connection to the incident in May. Castro, 95, is officially retired from Cuban leadership, although he remains an influential political figure in the country.
Castro is believed to be living in Havana. He is the brother of longtime Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro, who ruled the country from 1959 until transferring power to Raul in 2006.
Attorney General Uthmeier noted its importance despite the circumstances, including for the families affected.
"It matters. It matters first because for over 30 years, government officials did nothing," Uthmeier said. "They sat by and they did not enforce rule of law. They did not bring the power of a justice system, an American justice system, a justice system that preaches when you break the law, when you commit murder, you must be held accountable."
"The people of Miami have waited too long. The families have waited too long. Florida has waited too long," Uthmeier added. "Well, today the wait is over. We are bringing charges. We are seeking accountability."
Attorney General Uthmeier was joined by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones and Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, who thanked the pair for their leadership.
"Today's announcement of the Florida state arrest warrant for RaĂşl Castro marks a historic step in the pursuit of justice that these families and this community have carried for thirty years. Thirty years is a long time to wait, but it is never a reason to stop," Cordero-Stutz said.Â
"I want to recognize the four men whose lives were violently taken on February 24, 1996: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, Pablo Morales. Four men, four families, a loss that became part of the heart of this community," Cordero-Stutz continued. "We stand today in a courtroom that honors their names. There could hardly be a more meaningful place to reaffirm that their lives mattered, and that the pursuit of accountability must continue."
