Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz publicly defended Raúl Castro on Wednesday following the U.S. Department of Justice's federal charges against him, denouncing the accusations as a fabricated charade by the United States.
In a post on X, Marrero stated, "The alleged charges against the Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, fabricated by the U.S. government, reveal their lack of solid arguments to uphold their attacks on Cuba, unable to bend us despite all sanctions."
The prime minister also disseminated an official statement from the Cuban regime, where the so-called Revolutionary Government strongly condemned "the vile accusation by the U.S. Department of Justice against the Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution."
Defense of Controversial Actions
Marrero went further by justifying the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes as an act of self-defense. He argued that "history is clear and there is ample evidence demonstrating that Cuba acted in self-defense after repeatedly warning about the grave violations of our airspace."
Additionally, he labeled Brothers to the Rescue as a "narco-terrorist organization" and accused Washington of deceit: "The Cuban people and the international community know that the U.S. lies and manipulates reality at will, as they are attempting now concerning the plane shootdowns."
Coordinated Response from Cuban Leadership
Marrero's reaction is part of a coordinated response from the regime. Díaz-Canel described the charges as a "political act with no legal foundation," while Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called Marco Rubio a "spokesperson for corrupt and vindictive interests."
The charges, announced by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at Miami's Freedom Tower, include conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder for the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales on February 24, 1996.
International Implications and Symbolic Charges
The International Civil Aviation Organization determined the shootdowns occurred between nine and ten nautical miles outside Cuban territorial airspace, in international airspace, directly contradicting the regime's self-defense claim.
The charges were filed by a Miami grand jury on April 23, 2026, and made public this Wednesday, Cuba's Independence Day, a date deliberately chosen by Blanche for the announcement.
Besides Castro, the indictment includes five Cuban military officers: Lorenzo Alberto Pérez Pérez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Bárzaga, Raúl Simanca Cárdenas, and Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez.
While largely symbolic, as 94-year-old Castro has never set foot on U.S. soil and there is no extradition treaty between the countries, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar captured the sentiment of the Cuban-American community: "Today marks the beginning of the end for the Castro family."
Blanche was clear in his announcement: "For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have awaited justice. If you kill Americans, we will pursue you."
FAQ on U.S. Charges Against Cuban Leaders
What are the charges against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro faces charges including conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder related to the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes.
How has the Cuban government responded to the charges?
The Cuban government, led by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, has condemned the charges as a political maneuver by the United States, asserting Cuba acted in self-defense.
What is the significance of the charges?
The charges are largely symbolic as there is no extradition treaty between the U.S. and Cuba, but they reflect ongoing tensions and the desire for justice from the victims' families.