President Donald Trump called the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro a “very big moment” for Cuban Americans after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced charges tied to the 1996 shootdown of two unarmed U.S. civilian aircraft, as reported by Breitbart.
Trump spoke to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on May 20, shortly after the indictment was announced. He said Cuban Americans, particularly those in Miami, would understand the importance of the Justice Department’s action.
“I think the Cuban population of Miami, and certainly beyond Miami, people that came there that were decimated, whose families were ruined, appreciate what the Attorney General just did today,” Trump said.
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The indictment involves Castro and others in connection with the Feb. 24, 1996, shootdown of two U.S. civilian aircraft. The planes were operated by Brothers to the Rescue and were unarmed.
According to the Justice Department, “The superseding indictment charges conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, two counts of destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder.”
Trump said the case carries significance for Cuban Americans and people who left Cuba but still have family there.
“We have Cuba on our mind, very important. A lot of problems for a lot of years and… I think it was a very big moment for people that… not only Cuban Americans, but people that came from Cuba that want to go back to Cuba, people that want to see their family in Cuba,” he said.
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Trump described the announcement as “a very big day, very important day” and pointed to the level of support he has received from Cuban Americans.
“They supported me to the nth degree. They supported me at levels that nobody’s ever seen before, and so I think it’s a very important moment,” Trump said.
When asked whether escalation with Cuba should be expected, Trump answered, “No.”
“There won’t be escalation. I don’t think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart. It’s a mess, and they’ve sort of lost control. They’ve really lost control of Cuba,” he said.
Trump did not lay out a specific next step for U.S. policy toward Cuba. When asked what comes next, he said, “We’re going to see.”
“It’s a failing nation. You see that it’s falling apart. They have no oil… It’s a failing nation. So I just can’t tell you that. But we’re there to help. We’re there to help the families, the people,” Trump said.
The indictment marks a new legal development involving Castro and the 1996 aircraft shootdown, an incident long remembered by Cuban Americans and critics of the Cuban regime.
Trump tied the Justice Department’s action to families who fled Cuba, those still seeking to return, and those with relatives on the island.
The announcement also comes as Trump continues to draw support from Cuban American communities, particularly in South Florida, where Cuba policy remains a major issue for many voters.
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