According to U.S prosecutoers, Castro faces charges including murder, conspirancy to kill U.S. nationals and destruction of aircraft. The indictment was announced in Miami while Washington continues to maintain a firm stance on Cuba.

This case goes back to an incident that happened on February 24, 1996, when Cuban military fighter jets shot down two small planes near Cuban airspace. U.S. authorities claim that the aircraft were operating in international airspace during a humanitarian mission, while Cuban government stated that the planes repeatedly violated Cuban airspace and posed a security concern.

Current President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel has dismissed the charges labeling them politically motivated and accused Washington of reviving Cold War-era tensions between both countries. However, political analysts note that the charges are unlikely to lead to an extradition process as Castro, now in his 90s, remains in Cuba.

Families of the victims and some Cuban exile groups have welcomed the charges, saying they represent delayed accountabiity for the deaths of the four men abord the aircraft.