The United States is preparing to indict Raúl Castro, the former president of Cuba, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Fox News Digital.
These potential charges against the 94-year-old Castro emerge following a meeting on Thursday between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and officials from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior during a significant visit to the island nation.
The initial report of these potential charges was made by CBS News.
Raúl Castro is the younger sibling of Fidel Castro, Cuba’s long-standing leader who passed away in 2016.
According to US officials who spoke to CBS News, the indictment is linked to the downing of aircraft that occurred three decades ago.
The indictment, which would need to be approved by a grand jury, is expected to focus on Cuba’s lethal 1996 shootdown of planes operated by the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue, as detailed in the report.
During his meeting Thursday, Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials including Raulito Rodriguez Castro, Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services in Havana to “personally deliver President Trumpâs message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.”
A CIA official told Fox News that Ratcliffe and Cuban officials discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues, all against the backdrop that Cuba can no longer be a safe haven for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere.
Ratcliffe also stressed that the Trump administration was offering a genuine opportunity for cooperation and that Trump should be taken seriously, sources said.
Earlier this month, Trump joked during remarks at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida that the US would be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately.”
“Cubaâs got problems. Weâll finish one first. I like to finish a job.”
The Trump administration has recently expanded sanctions targeting countries and companies that do business with Cuba, particularly oil suppliers, increasing pressure on Havana amid fuel shortages and widespread power outages.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment.
