What we know about the Cuban exiles’ group at the heart of Raúl Castro’s indictment
The U.S. Justice Department is considering an indictment against Raúl Castro related to the 1996 shootdown of two planes operated by the Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue. This group, founded to assist Cuban refugees, became a focal point in U.S.-Cuba relations following the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of four members. The ongoing investigation highlights the complex history and tensions between the two nations.
- ▪Brothers to the Rescue was founded in 1980 to help Cuban refugees during a mass emigration to the U.S.
- ▪On February 24, 1996, Cuban fighter planes shot down two unarmed Cessnas belonging to Brothers to the Rescue, killing all four men aboard.
- ▪The U.S. government had previously warned the group about provoking Cuba, but they continued their operations in Cuban airspace.
27 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 19 hours. Coverage spans 4 points on the political spectrum — 10 lean left, 7 centre, 2 lean right, 6 right.
- ▪ Cuban Americans React to US Indictment of Raúl Castro — TODAY.com
- ▪ Why has US charged Cuba's Raul Castro with murder? — France 24 (EN)
- ▪ US charges former Cuban president — The Sydney Morning Herald
- ▪ Watch: U.S. indicts former Cuban President Raul Castro over 1996 downing of two civilian planes — The Hindu — Top
- ▪ US indicts former Cuban President Raúl Castro over 1996 downing of planes — Korea Times
- ▪ Cubans react to US indictment of former President Raul Castro — Al Jazeera English
- ▪ What to know about the US indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro — ABC News — US
- ▪ Details on U.S. indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro — CBS News — Top
- ▪ A Cuban exiles’ group is at the heart of Raúl Castro’s indictment over a 1996 shootdown - AP News — Google News
- ▪ US announces murder charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro – video — The Guardian — US
- ▪ Justice Department Indicts Cuba's Raúl Castro for 1996 Shootdown That Killed 4 Americans — Reason Magazine
- ▪ Cuba's Raúl Castro indicted over 1996 fatal downing of two aircraft — NPR — World
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-raul-castro-brothers-to-the-rescue-doj-indict-cuba-exiles/ |
| Publication time | Wed, 20 May 2026 17:49:26 +0000 |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Open this photo in gallery:A Brothers to the Rescue plane flies over The Democracy Movement flotilla at the twelve-mile limit north of Havana, Cuba in July, 1999.Alan Diaz/The Associated PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountA group founded by Cuban exiles known as Brothers to the Rescue is at the centre of the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to seek an indictment against Cuban leader Raúl Castro, a move that would revive one of the lowest points in the two countries’ bitter decades-long relationship.A person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the potential indictment is connected to Castro’s alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of two planes operated by the Miami-based exile group.
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