United States Unseals Superseding Indictment Charging Raul Castro and Five Cuban Regime Co-Defendants in 1996 Brothers to the Rescue Shoot-Down

MIAMI, FLORIDA — The United States Department of Justice has announced the unsealing of a superseding federal indictment charging Raul Modesto Castro Ruz, 94, along with five alleged Cuban regime co-defendants, in connection with the Feb. 24, 1996 destruction of two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue aircraft over international waters south of Florida.

Federal prosecutors identified the additional defendants as Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez.

According to the indictment, the defendants are accused of participating in or facilitating a military operation that resulted in the destruction of two civilian Cessna aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, also known as Hermanos al Rescate, killing four individuals aboard the aircraft.

The victims were identified as Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.

Federal authorities stated the superseding indictment includes charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, two counts of destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the charges represent one of the most significant criminal actions brought against senior Cuban regime leadership in decades.

“Over three decades later, we are committed to holding those accountable for the murders of four brave Americans,” Blanche stated. “For the first time in nearly 70 years, senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in the United States for alleged acts of violence resulting in the deaths of American citizens.”

According to federal investigators, Brothers to the Rescue operated humanitarian flights from South Florida during the 1990s, conducting aerial search missions intended to locate Cuban migrants attempting dangerous crossings through the Florida Straits.

The indictment alleges Cuban intelligence operatives infiltrated the organization during the early 1990s and transmitted operational details regarding flight patterns, routes, timing, and aircraft activity back to Cuban government and military officials.

Federal prosecutors allege the intelligence gathered through those infiltration efforts was later used to coordinate and execute the Feb. 24, 1996 attack.

According to court filings, three Brothers to the Rescue aircraft departed from Opa-locka Airport in South Florida on the day of the incident for a humanitarian flight south of the 24th parallel.

Investigators allege Cuban military MiG fighter aircraft operating under the command structure overseen by Raul Castro intercepted the civilian planes and launched air-to-air missiles against two of the unarmed Cessna aircraft while they remained outside Cuban territorial airspace.

Federal authorities stated the aircraft identified as tail numbers N2456S and N5485S were destroyed during the operation, killing all four occupants aboard the two planes.

The indictment additionally alleges Cuban military personnel conducted training exercises in the weeks leading up to the incident involving the interception and targeting of slow-moving civilian aircraft.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated the investigation remained active for decades as federal authorities continued pursuing accountability for the killings.

“For 30 years these families have waited for answers — and this FBI never forgot,” Patel stated. “We will continue working with our Justice Department partners to bring to justice those who attacked our civilians.”

United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated the passage of time did not diminish the seriousness of the alleged crimes or federal commitment to prosecution.

“For 30 years, the families of these men have waited. The Miami community has waited. Our country has waited,” Reding Quiñones stated. “This passage of time does not erase murder.”

Federal authorities stated Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez is currently in U.S. custody and awaiting sentencing in the Middle District of Florida on a separate case involving alleged false statements in immigration documentation.

The Department of Justice stated today’s announcement coincided with a memorial ceremony held at Freedom Tower in Miami honoring the victims killed during the 1996 incident.

Participants in the announcement included Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Deputy Director Christopher G. Raia, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones.

Federal prosecutors stated Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abbie D. Waxman and Michael E. Gilfarb are handling the prosecution, while the FBI Miami Field Office continues leading investigative efforts tied to the case.

If convicted, several defendants could face penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty under federal statutes governing murder and conspiracy involving the killing of U.S. nationals.

Federal authorities emphasized that the indictment constitutes allegations only, and all defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in federal court.

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United States District Court, Southern District of Florida — Superseding Indictment in United States v. Raul Modesto Castro Ruz, Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez, Emilio José Palacio Blanco, José Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez.

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