Florida’s attorney general says Florida has reopened a criminal investigation into former Cuban leader Raul Castro’s role in the 1996 shootdown of exile planes.
Joshua Goodman And Freida FrisaroFILE - Cuba's President Raul Castro listens to the Cuban and Venezuelan national anthems during his welcome ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace, March 17, 2015, in Caracas, Venezuela.
FILE - Mario de la Pena carries a poster with the photos of the four pilots shot down by Cuban Migs, his son Mario de la Pena, top right, was among the pilots, during a freedom for Cuba march in Miami, Feb. 24, 2011. FILE - Cuba's President Raul Castro listens to the Cuban and Venezuelan national anthems during his welcome ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace, March 17, 2015, in Caracas, Venezuela. – Florida’s attorney general said Wednesday that a state-level criminal investigation into former Cuban leader Raul Castro’s role in the 1996 shootdown of four planes operated by anti-communist exiles will be reopened. Attorney General James Uthmeier said during a news conference in Miami on Wednesday that an investigation into possible crimes against Raul Castro that began several years ago was shut down by the Biden administration.“When this came to my attention, we reactivated the files,” Uthmeier said. “So yes, that investigation will be ongoing.” In recent weeks, as the 30th anniversary of the February 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue planes approached, several Miami Republicans, as well as Florida Sen. Rick Scott, have called on the Trump administration to reopen its criminal investigation to focus on Castro’s alleged role in the incident. The renewed interest in the case is taking place against the backdrop of Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance against Cuba’s communist leadership in the wake of the U.S. capture of its close ally, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In a letter to Trump on Feb. 13, lawmakers including Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez highlighted decades-old news reports indicating that Castro — the head of Cuba’s military at the time — gave the order to shoot down the unarmed Cessna aircraft. “We believe unequivocally that Raul Castro is responsible for this heinous crime,” lawmakers wrote. “It is time for him to be brought to justice.” On Wednesday, Uthmeier agreed that accountability is needed if crimes against Florida citizens were committed. “I can’t really say too much more at this point, but we are going to continue this investigation,” he said during the news conference. “I know a lot of members of the state legislature and other people here in Florida would like to see some resolution and ideally accountability.”Cuban government officials also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. To date, the U.S. has convicted only a single person of conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the shootdown. Gerardo Hernández, the leader of a Cuban espionage ring dismantled by the FBI in the 1990s, was sentenced to life in prison but was released by President Barack Obama during a prisoner swap in December 2014 after serving 16 years. Two fighter jet pilots and their commanding officer have also been indicted but outside the reach of U.S. law enforcement while living in Cuba.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit developmentUNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policyHappy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain?Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic FurySt. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication accessPassion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from MelanieRace director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from MelanieLIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residentsGas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise?Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex▶Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched herCarrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversyImpact Christian Back in State SemifinalsSporting JAX announces St. Johns Town location for stadium, new sports, entertainment districtJEA leadership saga update
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Florida attorney general reopens investigation into Raul Castro's role in 1996 plane shootdownFlorida’s attorney general says Florida has reopened a criminal investigation into former Cuban leader Raul Castro’s role in the 1996 shootdown of exile planes. Attorney General James Uthmeier says his office reactivated the case files after learning the probe had been shut down. Uthmeier made the comments on Wednesday in Miami.
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Florida revives a long-dormant probe into Raul Castro over 1996 shootdown of exile group's plane -MIAMI (AP) — Florida’s attorney general said Wednesday that a state-level criminal investigation into former Cuban leader Raul Castro’s role in the 1996
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