Brothers to the Rescue tops headlines as Cuba-related indictments loom over 1996 plane downing; led by José Basulto, a controversial Miami exile.
On February 25, 2026, a speedboat registered in Florida entered Cuban territorial waters near Villa Clara province. Cuban border guards approached the vessel, which then opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander. Four of the ten men aboard the boat were killed, six wounded. The boat's occupants were Cuban-Americans allegedly aiming for infiltration with terrorist intent. The incident heightens US-Cuba tensions amid ongoing energy and political crises.
Federal prosecutors in Miami have indicated they will unseal an indictment against 94‑year‑old Raul Castro on charges tied to the 1996 downing of four Brothers to the Rescue planes. The announcement has been scheduled to coincide with a Miami ceremony to honour the victims and would require grand‑jury approval.
The U.S. Justice Department has prepared to seek an indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, a move that several outlets say has the potential to escalate tensions with Havana. The development comes amid a broader context of heightened U.S.-Cuba frictions following Venezuela-related actions and ongoing talks about Cuba’s role in regional security.
The United States has issued a federal indictment in Miami charging Raúl Castro and others with murder, conspiracy to kill US nationals, and destruction of aircraft related to the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes. Four people have died in that incident, and the case comes as the Trump administration presses for regime change in Cuba amid a broader energy crisis and protests.