US prosecutor on Castro: "We will do everything we can to bring him here

The acting U.S. Attorney, Todd Blanche,

target="_blank">stated that the U.S. government will seek to bring Raúl Castro to a federal court in Miami to face charges related to the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft belonging to the group Hermanos al Rescate, an attack that resulted in the deaths of four individuals.

In statements made to Fox News, Blanche asserted that U.S. authorities will attempt to secure

his appearance in court. “We didn’t do this for a show indictment. We really need Castro here to face the charges. He was indicted by a grand jury in Miami. That’s where he should be tried. We will do everything we can to bring him here,” he declared.

The official explained that, as in other cases involving defendants outside the United States, the

Department of Justice is working with international allies to facilitate extraditions and enforce allegations issued by federal courts.

“The purpose of a formal indictment is not limited to the paper on which it is printed. Its aim

is to bring the accused person to this country, before a court of justice, to be held accountable under the law,” he added.

On May 20, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the

target="_blank">formal filing of charges against Cuban dictator Raúl Castro for the shootdown of the Hermanos al Rescate civilian aircraft that occurred in 1996 over international waters.

🚨 JUST NOW: AG Todd Blanche reveals the Trump admin

WILL get now-indicted former Cuban leader Raul Castro onto US soil

MADURO HIM! 🔥🇨🇺

"We didn't do this for a show indictment. We REALLY need Castro HERE to face charges. He was indicted by a grand jury in Miami. That's where… pic.twitter.com/NxEgDgLB30 — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 28, 2026

According to the

indictment, Castro allegedly ordered a Cuban MiG fighter to attack and destroy two civilian aircraft belonging to the organization, resulting in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos A. Costa, Mario M. de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, three U.S. citizens and one legal permanent resident in the United States.

Other defendants in the case include Lorenzo Alberto Pérez-Pérez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José

Fidel Gual Barzaga, and Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez.

The latter, a pilot involved in the shootdown of Hermanos al Rescate, is already in U.S. custody and

was sentenced this week to target="_blank">seven months in prison after pleading guilty to immigration fraud.

At the announcement made at the Tower of Liberty in Florida, family members of the victims were also

present, having waited for decades for this action.