Cuba outraged after US indicts Raul Castro

On 21 May 2026, the United States indicted Raúl Castro, the former Cuban president, on murder charges over the 1996 downing of planes. Cuba reacted with outrage. Reuters reported that Russia said it will support Cuba as the US tightens the “noose”.

Analysts quoted by Estadão said the indictment could create a basis for a US operation in Cuba, and El País wrote that it shows how far Trump is willing to go on Cuba. Reforma reported Trump said an escalation with Cuba was not needed. Separately, the US Supreme Court allowed a lawsuit over US assets seized by Cuba in 1960.