Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro reappeared publicly in Havana days after facing U.S. murder charges.
Raúl Castro Appears In Havana Following US Indictment
Cuban state television showed Castro attending an Interior Ministry celebration in Havana on Friday, Reuters reported.
This marked his first public appearance since U.S. authorities unsealed charges against him last month.
Castro, who turned 95 on Wednesday, had last been seen publicly during May Day events in Havana.
Before that, he appeared at a Jan. 15 ceremony honoring Cuban soldiers killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The former Cuban president and defense minister was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department on May 20 over the 1996 downing of an aircraft operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue.
The incident killed four people, including three U.S. citizens, after Cuban military jets shot down the planes over international waters.
Trump Administration Steps Up Pressure On Cuba
The indictment comes amid increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Washington toward Havana.
Former national security adviser John Bolton pointed to the charges and CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s recent visit to Havana as signs the administration is tightening pressure on the Cuban government.
President Donald Trump has also repeatedly hinted at stronger action against Cuba in recent months, saying in March he could “do anything” regarding the island and later telling supporters at a Miami event that “Cuba’s next” before walking back the remark.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio further fueled speculation in late March when asked whether the administration supports regime change in Cuba, responding simply: “Yes.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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