The US has indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro and five others, escalating efforts to remove Cuba's communist regime. Castro faces serious charges, including conspiracy to kill US nationals and murder related to a 1996 incident involving the Cuban military.
Key points
US indicts Raúl Castro and five others
Charges include conspiracy to kill US nationals and murder
Indictment relates to a 1996 incident with Cuban military
Cuban president condemns indictment as a political stunt
Tensions between US and Cuba are escalating
Mentioned in this story
Raúl CastroDonald TrumpMiguel Díaz-CanelCuban military
Good morning.
On Wednesday, the US issued a federal criminal indictment against Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president, and five others, in a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign to oust the country’s communist regime.
The indictment, filed in US district court for the southern district of Florida, comes at a time of heightened tension between the US and Cuba. Donald Trump has threatened military action against the Cuban government, and an energy crisis created by a tight US oil embargo has caused rolling blackouts and prompted protests in the capital.
Trump was asked by reporters on Wednesday if there could be an arrest similar to that of the ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in January. “I don’t want to say that,” he said.
What are the details? Castro, 94, was charged with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft related to an incident in 1996 – in which four men were killed by the Cuban military, when two small planes were shot down during a humanitarian mission in the Florida Straits.
How has Cuba reacted? Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban president, condemned the indictment as a political stunt that sought only to “justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba”.
Israeli security minister stirs diplomatic outrage with flotilla activist abuse video
Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid.
Three activists were taken to hospital as a result of Israeli violence, lawyers representing the group said. They were subsequently discharged. Dozens of others have suspected broken ribs, resulting in breathing problems. The rights group Adalah said there had been “widespread physical and psychological abuse by Israeli authorities”.
What does the video show? Images of dozens of men and women kneeling in rows, with their foreheads to the ground and their hands zip-tied behind their back. Ben-Gvir posted it on his social media account. He appears waving an Israeli flag, mocking and taunting the detainees.
What are global leaders saying? The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, one of the country’s staunchest allies, described Ben-Gvir’s behaviour as “despicable” and said the minister had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”. Others criticizing the video were Italy, Spain, the European Council, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and others. The Spanish foreign minister called the treatment “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”.
Q&A
What charges were brought against Raúl Castro by the US?
Raúl Castro was charged with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder, and two counts of destruction of aircraft related to a 1996 incident.
What incident led to Raúl Castro's indictment?
The indictment relates to a 1996 incident where the Cuban military shot down two small planes, killing four men during a humanitarian mission.
How did the Cuban government respond to the indictment of Raúl Castro?
Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the indictment as a political stunt aimed at justifying military aggression against Cuba.
What are the implications of the US indictment for US-Cuba relations?
The indictment represents a significant escalation in US efforts to oust the Cuban regime, amid heightened tensions and threats of military action from the Trump administration.
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