2 min readMay 15, 2026 06:07 PM ISTCuba's former President Raul Castro watches a May Day rally in Havana, Cuba May 1, 2025. (REUTERS)The United States is preparing to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, according to a US Department of Justice official.News agency Reuters reported that the indictment, which would still require approval from a grand jury, could come soon. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the case centres on the long-contentious incident in which Cuban fighter jets shot down the planes, killing four Cuban-American men.Havana had maintained at the time that the aircraft had violated Cuban airspace, while the United States said they were flying in international airspace.The move marks a major escalation in already strained US-Cuba relations under President Donald Trump, whose administration has intensified sanctions on the communist-run island. Reuters said Washington has increased pressure on Cuba through measures targeting fuel supplies and economic activity, worsening shortages and blackouts across the country.The US Attorney’s Office is reportedly handling the investigation for the Southern District of Florida, which has been examining potential criminal charges against senior Cuban officials.The development also comes amid cautious diplomatic contacts between the two countries. Cuba confirmed on Thursday that officials had recently met CIA Director John Ratcliffe. According to a CIA official cited by Reuters, Ratcliffe told Cuban authorities that Washington remained open to discussions on economic and security matters if Cuba undertook “fundamental changes”.Neither Cuba’s foreign ministry nor the US Justice Department immediately commented publicly on the reported indictment plans.(With inputs from Reuters)The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementLive BlogIran US War News LIVE Updates: Tehran has ‘no trust’ in US, ‘will negotiate only if it is serious’, says Iran FM in India9 minutes agoKerala SSLC 10th Result 2026, sslcexam.kerala.gov.in LIVE Updates: Result out at prd.kerala.gov.in; 99.07% pass10 minutes agoJustice Swarana Kanta Sharma won’t hear excise case, to continue with contempt action against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, others4 hours agoTrump-Xi Summit LIVE: Beijing being ‘very pragmatic’ on Iran, says top US official, as Trump and Xi meet for final day of summit6 hours agoHBSE 10th Result 2026, bseh.org.in Highlights: Scorecards out at bseh.org.in, check list of toppers7 hours ago