Luis Raúl González-Pardo, a former pilot in the Cuban Air Force, who is currently in U.S. custody and was recently named in a federal indictment alongside Raúl Castro for the downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, pleaded guilty in January to immigration fraud charges. He is set to be sentenced on May 28 in a federal court in Jacksonville, Florida, according to The New York Times.
Since November, González-Pardo, a retired lieutenant colonel now 65 years old, has been detained for providing false information to U.S. immigration authorities.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida has charged him with visa fraud, misuse of permits and other documents, and making a false statement to a federal agency. These charges could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Background and Military Career in Cuba
In Cuba, González-Pardo served in the Revolutionary Cuban Air Force and Air Defense for nearly three decades, from 1980 to 2009, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following his military career, he became the Deputy Chief of Terminal 2 at Havana's José Martí International Airport, a facility under heavy surveillance by state security, handling flights to and from the United States.
Entry into the United States and Subsequent Legal Trouble
The former pilot first entered the U.S. in May 2017 without disclosing his military background. He returned in April 2024 under the Biden administration's humanitarian parole program. In April 2025, he submitted an I-485 form to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, denying any military training or service in military units.
The FBI apprehended him in early November.
Federal Charges and Potential Consequences
Florida Attorney General Pamela Bondi strongly criticized his case, stating, "This man's long history as a military pilot for Castro's oppressive regime, which has inflicted untold suffering on the Cuban people, should have been central to his immigration record."
On Wednesday, González-Pardo was included in a superseding indictment along with Raúl Castro and four other Cuban military officials: Lorenzo Alberto Pérez-Pérez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Bárzaga, and Raúl Simanca Cárdenas. They face charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and four counts of murder.
The indictment alleges he piloted the MiG-29A 911 during the pursuit of José Basulto's aircraft, founder of Brothers to the Rescue, but failed to shoot it down as it neared U.S. airspace. He is not accused of firing missiles.
Human rights activist Luis Domínguez, an investigator with the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, identified him after analyzing a 1996 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) report that included radio transcripts between MiG pilots and their base.
"He was in one of those MiGs that day. And he's the only one here we have access to who can tell you who was involved," Domínguez told The New York Times.
"It was a process. It required a lot of patience," the investigator added, having shared the information with federal authorities and Congress members.
González-Pardo is the only one among the six defendants in U.S. custody, making him a potentially crucial witness in a future trial. If found guilty on the new charges, he could face a life sentence.
Key Questions about Luis Raúl González-Pardo's Case
What are the charges against Luis Raúl González-Pardo?
He faces charges of immigration fraud, visa misuse, and making false statements to federal authorities, with potential additional charges related to conspiracy and murder linked to the Brothers to the Rescue incident.
What could be the potential sentence for González-Pardo?
For the immigration-related charges alone, he could face up to 15 years in prison. If convicted on new charges related to the indictment, he might face a life sentence.
How was González-Pardo identified as a participant in the Brothers to the Rescue incident?
He was identified by human rights activist Luis Domínguez, who examined a 1996 ICAO report containing radio transcripts between MiG pilots and their base, confirming his involvement.