Florida issues arrest warrant for Cuban leader Raul Castro

The state-level announcement mirrors a federal indictment from May as the US steps up pressure on the Cuban government.Published On 19 Oct 202619 Oct 2026Florida, in the southeastern United States, has issued an arrest warrant for 95-year-old former Cuban leader Raul Castro.The move comes as US authorities step up pressure on the government in Havana.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US open to Cuba talks on government change, Marco Rubio sayslist 2 of 3Cuba condemns US ‘collective punishment’ as Trump predicts deallist 3 of 3Cuba forges ahead with renewable energy plans amid US oil blockadeend of listState Attorney General James Uthmeier said on Monday that the warrant was based on criminal charges over Castro’s alleged role in ordering two unarmed aircraft to be shot down in 1996.The aircraft were affiliated with Brothers to the Rescue, a Florida-based group that helps Cubans fleeing the country. Four people were killed in the attack.Castro faces state-level charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in Florida.“Raul Castro ordered the murder of four Floridians in cold blood, and Florida will never stop pursuing accountability for that communist conspiracy,” ...