REP. SALAZAR COMMENDS HISTORIC DOJ INDICTMENT OF RAÚL CASTRO IN 1996 BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE DOWNING

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) today commended the Department of Justice for its historic indictment of Cuban regime leader Raúl Castro for his role in the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft that killed four individuals, including three American citizens.

The superseding indictment was unsealed this afternoon at Miami's Freedom Tower, a historic symbol of freedom for generations of Cuban exiles and a landmark at the heart of South Florida's Cuban exile community. Castro was charged with one count of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, four counts of murder, and two counts of aircraft destruction.

Announced on Cuban Independence Day, the indictment marks one of the most significant U.S. legal actions in decades tied to the Cuban regime and the deaths of Americans.

"Today is a glorious day, a historic day, for the Cuban people, for the Cuban American community, and for every family that was ever told that justice was too far away, too complicated, or too late," said Rep. María Elvira Salazar. "For thirty years, the families of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales carried this pain and refused to give up. They knocked on every door in Washington and never stopped demanding justice. Today, the United States of America tells them: we heard you. We did not forget. And we did not stop fighting. This historic indictment sends a clear message that time does not erase crimes, and those responsible for murdering innocent Americans will be held accountable. For the Cuban exile community, for the families of the victims, and for all those who have waited decades for justice, today is a long overdue step forward."

"For decades, there has been virtually no accountability for the cold-blooded murder of American citizens at the hands of the Castro regime. That has always been unacceptable to me, and I believe it's unacceptable to President Trump and this administration as well, said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. "The Cuban regime has blood on its hands. This is not simply a story about the past. I believe that under President Trump, the United States is not willing to ignore the murder of Americans and the ongoing repression of political prisoners, dissidents, artists, and peaceful protesters in Cuba. The Cuban dictatorship remains a national security threat to the United States and to democratic partners throughout the Western Hemisphere. The regime continues to harbor fugitives, support anti-American actors, work with adversarial regimes, and repress its own people while Raúl Castro and GAESA maintain real power behind the scenes. There is sufficient evidence to indict Raúl Castro for the murder of Americans and finally today, justice is moving forward thanks to the leadership, courage, and resolve of President Trump and his Administration to protect Americans. No one is above accountability simply because decades have passed."

"Justice has been delayed for decades, but the Cuban dictatorship must finally answer for its crimes, said Rep. Carlos Giménez. "The brutal shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes was not an accident or a misunderstanding - it was a cold-blooded act of murder carried out by the Castro regime against innocent Americans flying humanitarian missions. Today's indictment sends an unmistakable message to Havana: no amount of time, propaganda, or repression will erase these crimes. Those who murder Americans and terrorize innocent people will be held accountable. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio, and we thank them for their commitment to a free Cuba - libertad from this brutal dictatorship."

Today's indictment follows months of sustained congressional calls for accountability.

Earlier this year, Rep. Salazar joined Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging his administration to reopen the criminal investigation into Raúl Castro's role in the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft.

The lawmakers called on DOJ to pursue accountability for those responsible, follow the chain of command to the highest levels of the Cuban regime, and use every legal avenue available to ensure justice is pursued. They argued that the deaths of three American citizens and one lawful permanent resident in international airspace demanded renewed federal review and accountability.

Prior to the DOJ announcement, Rep. Salazar joined Reps. Díaz-Balart, Giménez, and Malliotakis at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to publicly call for accountability and underscore the national security and humanitarian concerns posed by the Cuban regime.

Watch Rep. Salazar's full remarks:
English: here

En Español: aquí

BACKGROUND:


On February 24, 1996, Cuban military aircraft shot down two unarmed civilian planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue in international airspace.

The attack killed Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, three United States citizens and one lawful permanent resident.

For decades, the downing of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft has remained one of the most painful and defining tragedies for South Florida's Cuban exile community and for the families of the victims.

Rep. Salazar represents one of the largest Cuban exile communities in the United States, where the memory of February 24, 1996, continues to carry deep significance for families who have spent decades seeking justice. For many in South Florida, the case also remains closely tied to the broader fight for freedom, accountability, and democratic change in Cuba.

Today's indictment marks a major development in the decades-long pursuit of justice tied to the 1996 attack.