Miami's Cuban community reacts to Raúl Castro's indictment

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:02]Reactions are pouring in this morning after the announcement of Raul Castro's criminal charges. Caplin's Alejandro Medina has that part of our team coverage. We're outside Freedom Tower in downtown Miami where members of the Cuban community gathered to celebrate Raul Castro's indictment on Wednesday with many of them saying this could be the first step towards freedom in the island. Charging Raul Castro and several others with conspiracy to kill US nationals.

[00:00:33]Just A historic day for the Cuban community in South Florida.

[00:00:41]As dozens took to Miami streets Monday to celebrate former Cuban leader Raul Castro's indictment related to the shoot down of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian planes in 1996.

[00:00:56]This is the first step to achieve the end of the dictatorship and for them to pay for what they've done.

[00:01:01]Showing their Cuban pride and screaming for justice. For many of them these charges symbolizes more to the community than just a legal action.

[00:01:11]This is definitely a step in the right direction. Just the fact that he's being indicted and shown to be a potential or I know a criminal that that's a lot. Meanwhile local officials inside Freedom Tower in downtown Miami say the historic event should serve as a way to tell those inside the island that they are not alone. It's very important that the exile community could communicate with the people in the island to let them know that we're here in this thing together.

[00:01:43]>> And many believe the indictment should be just one more step towards freedom.

[00:01:48]>> We hope that today doesn't stay just as a symbol but it's followed through with some quick and decisive action to bring freedom to Cuba. If we could get the Castros out of Cuba we could have freedom in Cuba. How many of them told me that they would support a military intervention if needed for the island's freedom. Reporting from downtown Miami, I'm Alejandro Marquina, Capital News.

[00:02:08]Stay with Capital News for continuing coverage of Castro charged. Look for our stories on Newsbreak through social media at capital capital.news and our website capitalnews.fiu.edu.