Overview
- A U.S. Department of Justice official confirmed late Thursday that prosecutors plan to seek charges against the 94-year-old former Cuban leader, pending grand-jury approval.
- The expected case centers on the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes that flew migrant-spotting missions, which killed four people including three Americans.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida is leading the review of potential charges against senior Cuban officials.
- Reporters cited an alleged 12-minute recording said to capture Raúl Castro discussing the operation, a claim attributed to NBC Miami that remains unverified and developing.
- The disclosure came as CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban security officials in Havana and conveyed that Washington could engage on economic and security issues if Cuba makes “fundamental changes.”