U.S. indicts former Cuban President Raúl Castro and 5 others | full coverage

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]an additional step and actually bring Raul Castro here to Miami to face justice. I mean, that's that's the question. It's not clear whether they would do that or whether they would use this indictment as a pressure point in order to enact regime change in Cuba.

[00:00:15]Just a few moments ago, uh the indictment was announced. Uh sources had told CBS News that this was going to happen today. And just a few moments ago, I heard cheering from a crowd of Cubanameans that's standing outside the Freedom Tower here in Miami where that press conference is set to be held. Now, this indictment all has to do with the shootown of two humanitarian planes. The humanitarian planes part of Brothers to the Rescue. This was a group that went out into the Florida straits, went out into international waters and helped Cubans who were making their way from the communist island looking for freedom and they were making their way here to Miami. So they would they had a fleet of about 10 planes that would go out and help Cubans who were in distress. They also participated in some pro-democracy missions which included dropping leaflets uh on the communist island back in 1996. Two of their planes were shot down. There was a third plane that was not shot down and uh four people died.

[00:01:18]That includes three US citizens and one US resident. The Cuban-American community here in Miami has for decades been calling for change in Cuba and for the past three decades calling for justice for those four men who were killed on that day. And as I mentioned just moments ago when that indictment was announced, uh we heard cheering outside of the Freedom Tower. We're still waiting to hear from a number of speakers that are set to uh list off what the charges are going to be and just give us a sense of what else is in this indictment.

[00:01:56]>> All right, Cristian Benvdas as we hear word of the cheers that likely come from generations of families who remember.

[00:02:02]Thank you so much. Turning now to CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gases. Olivia, uh, we're still watching that podium to see who steps forward there, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Cuban people in a video message earlier. What was the message?

[00:02:17]>> That's right. Well, this was the first time that Rubio, who himself is the son of Cuban immigrants, spoke directly to the Cuban people as Secretary of State, and he chose to do it in Spanish and on the day that Cuba marks its independence from Spain and US occupation. It was a sharp salvo against the government as he has been doing. Um he said he blamed the government as the reason that the Cuban people have no electricity, no food, no fuel. He pointed to this business conglomerate run by the Cuban military, Gaesa, uh which controls most of the Cuban economy as the main obstacle standing between the Cuban people and a better future uh both domestically and in relation to the United States. and he reiterated this offer that the US has been dangling of $100 million in humanitarian aid to be delivered directly to the Cuban people through Catholic charities. But officials that we've spoken to say that money hasn't yet moved. Negotiations are still continuing. Uh, of course, Rubio's message uh sought to cast the US and this administration in a sort of cooperative, benevolent light, but it's absolutely worth noting uh that Cuba's primary energy lifeline, which were these oil deliveries that came directly from Venezuela, evaporated virtually overnight after the US removed Nicholas Maduro from power earlier this year. uh that along with these punishing sanctions that the US has levied on Cuban officials and institutions uh has been a significant factor in pushing Cuba into one of these one of the worst humanitarian and economic crises that it's seen in in decades. Reed, >> such an inflection point. I used to live in Miami. I've covered this issue deeply and I would imagine that the reaction will be resoundingly positive there in Miami if we hear more indictments of other Cuban officials. What are you hearing about that?

[00:04:07]That's right. Well, I think that we are just learning uh what we had been reporting earlier that the Justice Department is expected to unveil or has unveiled now an indictment of Cuba's 94year-old former leader and defense minister Raul Castro uh with what appear to be five others on charges that we believe will be related to the shootown, as Christian was telling you, of humanitarian planes in 1996. So, you've heard this administration call the Cuban government corrupt. You've heard them call it incompetent and now they are also seeking to label it as criminal with this federal indictment. Uh and and Reed, these legal moves are following a number of these other screw tightening measures that this administration has uh reached for including again the fresh sanctions. Uh we got another swath on Monday against top military and intelligence officials. Uh and at the same time trying to keep a diplomatic track alive and progressing. last week uh dispatching the CIA director to meet with senior officials in Havana. Uh and again this humanitarian relief package that appears to be tied to the same demand that this administration has had uh that the government in Cuba make requisite political changes that make it more palatable to the US. The question of course is whether those changes actually happen or whether those in power in Cuba really buckle down to outlast even more crushing American pressure.

[00:05:32]>> Yeah. And we know this is a major voting block and they are political and they are politically active. You know, I've stood on the waters there, the shoreline of Miami. I've seen people arrive from Cuba who got into Miami through the wetoot dryfoot policy and they all uh get off that those boats and they all say Fidel Castro, Ral Castro destroyed our families, destroyed our family's businesses. In what sense is this indictment against Royal Castro also symbolic and the Cuban people for generations feeling like this is perhaps some comeuppins for Fidel Castro and the Castro regime at large?

[00:06:09]>> Absolutely. It is symbolic in so far as Ro Castro as we've pointed out is 94 years old. Even though he's not currently in power, he still wields an enormous amount of influence in Cuban politics. And Reed, we should say that the Cuban government has been trying to strenuously deny that it poses an active military threat to the United States.

[00:06:29]Its officials have said that it is not an aggressor, that it is uh combating outsiz influence from the United States.

[00:06:37]Um and uh doesn't harbor any threat.

[00:06:41]This has come as there's been um Sorry, my phone is going off here.

[00:06:45]>> Listen, you're a reporter. Your sources are calling you. We understand, friend.

[00:06:48]It's okay.

[00:06:50]Sorry about that. Uh this this is coming as as we've heard uh reports of um drones that the Cuban government has accumulated and whether those would be a factor should there be an external military confrontation. Now we do not sense that one is imminent, but it has become more of a possibility as again the United States uh has pointed to the need for the government to demonstrate that it is willing to change in order to get to a more cooperative relationship is what we understood. the CIA director to have relayed to senior officials there that the US pointing to what they uh see as a productive relationship now in Venezuela wants to see a different set of leadership at the top and wants to uh engage economically to the extent that is possible but it won't be possible with the interlocutors that it currently has there.

[00:07:41]>> All right, Olivia, thank you so much. We likely will be checking back into you as news breaks throughout this hour. Thank you so much. Good to talk to you. Let's go back to Miami and CBS News correspondent Cristian Benvitas there.

[00:07:51]Uh, you know, I'm always fascinated in covering this story. I remember also standing at a prominent cathedral. I know you'll know the name of it. Uh, that pays tribute to those who came through rough waters to come to the shores of the United States. If you can capture this moment from the perspective of the mothers and fathers, the grandmothers, the grandfathers, and what the significance of this is, not only is this indictment connected to the 1996 Downing Plains, but this has also got to be symbolic for so many families who say they suffered under the Castle regime, lost their businesses, lost their homes, and many of them died.

[00:08:27]Reed, absolutely. I mean, you have to think about the families that had their businesses seized and uh that had to live through this uh brutal authoritarian regime that is still in power. Now, it's important to note that Cuba is at one of its weakest, if not the weakest moment that it has ever been. So, people here in South Florida see what's happening on the island. They do see it. They see their family members suffering through the blackout, suffering through the lack of food and through those brutal conditions, but uh overwhelmingly the belief here is that uh change may be around the corner for so many Cuban Americans who live here in South Florida. Uh I spoke to Jose Basula who was on the third plane. I mentioned, you know, these humanitarian planes that are at the center of this indictment. Uh two of them were shut down. and Jose Basult was on the third plane and he watched his friends uh be killed on international waters uh by the Cuban regime and uh what he told me was that he feels that change in Cuba is closer than it ever has been before in the past. And I'll tell you you there's a small crowd that's right outside the Freedom Tower and every so often we hear them cheering. Uh I don't know what they're watching, but we hear them cheering and we hear uh the joy from so many Cubanameans who who are here in in South Florida. Uh after seeing what happened in Venezuela, one thing that I would caution is that in Venezuela, you have Deli Rodriguez who is still part of the Maduro regime that is in power there, though they are collaborating with the United States. here. When you talk to Cubanameans, they'll tell you directly that they do not want to see anyone from the regime still in power.

[00:10:17]And it is so difficult to find someone within the uh Cuban regime that could hold a position similar to Deli because most of the opposition lives here in Miami because they were either imprisoned in Cuba or um had to flee from the communist island. So, it is truly remarkable to hear the hope that uh so many Cubanameans here have. They are ready for this change. They have been waiting for change in Cuba for decades and they're seeing the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding on the island and they've been watching what the administration has been doing and hoping that they would be able to enact some sort of regime change.

[00:11:00]I'm so jealous that you're there to get to record this story in real time. I think of the inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty about huddled masses yearning to be free. That really typifies and captures the spirit of so many Cuban Americans there likely toasting themselves with some cafe versz capacito today. Nice to talk to you. As soon as we see somebody at that podium, we'll bring it to you. Cristian Benvdas, excellent reporting as always. All right, so we're also getting granular here. We're looking at what's in that indictment. So, let's go live to CBS News justice reporter Jake Rosen. You're starting to dig into it and see what the the line items are. What are you seeing so far?

[00:11:38]>> Yeah, right. That's right, Reed. Uh, we are waiting on the full indictment to be unsealed, but as this kind of trickle of court filings have come in, we do have an initial set and uh read on what the charges are alleged against former Cuban leader Raul Castro. Uh the first charge as Christian has spoken about in depth here is conspiracy to kill US nationals that is just a singular count. There are two counts of a destruction of aircraft.

[00:12:04]As Cristian just pointed out, two of those uh brothers to the rescue planes were shot down in the 1990s carrying US citizens and a US resident. And that leads to the final charge uh which is four counts of murder. Uh, and as Cristian just pointed out, it was three US citizens who were on board those planes attempting to rescue Cubans who were fleeing the island and there was one US resident who was also killed. Uh, we are waiting on a full unsealing of this indictment, I would assume, just given how the Department of Justice typically plays things out. Uh, it could come at any moment as we await this presser or meanwhile uh or while uh acting attorney general Todd Blanch and other law enforcement heads are set to be discussing this in depth. And I think one moment of of clarity that we will get just like the Nicholas Maduro indictment was how deeply involved can the United States allege the involvement went from the top down of the government. As we know in a similar comparison, uh it's likely that they're going to allege that simply because he's the head uh former head of the country that he had some direct knowledge of the order or directly ordered the the shooting down of these planes. How granular can the United States get in that indictment? Do they have potential witnesses or documentation to back up these charges? And uh we will certainly find out more in a couple of moments on specifics.

[00:13:26]>> I know you'll have it. Thank you so much. We appreciate that. And stay with us on CBS News 247. This is a historic moment in the history of Cubans and Cubanameans. You're watching CBS News 247. We're back after the break.

[00:13:55]The only way to get a 360°ree understanding of America is to get out there in America.

[00:14:02]There really is no swing at all when it comes to the priorities of everyday people. We care about how secure our job is, whether we can plan on retiring with dignity, whether our kids can have a brighter future than we have today.

[00:14:15]These are the fundamentals of American life, and I think they can be again.

[00:14:22]>> Why doesn't he tell Republicans, "Come into my office. Let's hammer this thing out."

[00:14:26]>> Margaret, it's a totally fair question.

[00:14:28]>> Politics isn't a game. Why are you opposed to this deployment?

[00:14:31]>> It's unconstitutional.

[00:14:33]>> Politics is about policy. I'm a voracious consumer of information and I'm impatient. I don't like to be spun.

[00:14:40]To be moderator of Face the Nation means bringing the most powerful stakeholders to the table to become better informed.

[00:14:54]>> We don't want to accept that there's evil that walks amongst us, but it does.

[00:15:01]You know how when you meet somebody, you can't put your finger on it, but something's not right.

[00:15:06]>> You never know what anybody is capable of.

[00:15:10]>> I am a serial killer who's only killed once.

[00:15:14]>> Did you think when this goes public, this town's going to be shocked?

[00:15:19]>> Absolutely.

[00:15:22]>> When you're dealing with a 30-year-old cole case, it seems like there's not a lot of hope.

[00:15:28]We knew there was a monster out there and we were going to find him and get him.

[00:15:32]>> Look at him just coming around the corner like that.

[00:15:38]>> We started tracking the area.

[00:15:39]>> When did this accident scene become a crime scene?

[00:15:42]>> Police.

[00:15:42]>> You called him a lying liar who lies about lying.

[00:15:48]>> Do you know why we're stopping you today?

[00:15:50]>> What makes you so sure that you stabbed your sister while you were sleepwalking?

[00:15:57]Can you hear?

[00:15:59]>> I never got a chance to see her one last time.

[00:16:02]>> Such injustice. I can't believe they did this to her. But no matter how hard it gets, never give up.

[00:16:09]>> I'm Natalie Morales with 48 Hours. Did you have anything to do with Joanna Hunter's death?

[00:16:15]>> This is a family that just wants justice.

[00:16:33]I'm Tony Dopal from a region at war tonight >> to tell the story.

[00:16:36]>> Hello up there.

[00:16:37]>> You have to be there seeing it firsthand.

[00:16:40]>> I'm Tony. I work for CBS. Can you clarify what this war is about? How do you avoid this becoming a death trap?

[00:16:47]>> This war only seems to be accelerating.

[00:16:49]The CBS Evening News with Tony Dopal.

[00:16:52]>> This is a story we're watching in breaking news fashion and we will throughout this hour. Live to Miami where the Justice Department unveiled criminal charges against former Cuban President Ral Castro related to Cuba's 1996 shootown of humanitarian planes. We are awaiting for officials to take to that podium in Miami. As soon as we see it, you'll see it right here on CBS News 247. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, President Donald Trump just wrapped up a commencement address to graduates at the US Coast Guard Academy. The president taking this opportunity to really pump up the military in the speech. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman is inside that stadium for today's ceremonies. Uh Katrina, what did the president have to say there? Especially, we're curious about Iran.

[00:17:36]>> Reed, the president talked about building up the US military strength.

[00:17:40]about Iran specifically. He commented, "Do we go finish it up or are they going to sign a document?" So, this is still a real question mark. Reed, he also touted the Coast Guard's role in some of these military operations, though. He talked about how they helped track down an Iranian oil tanker. Um, he also talked about their role in capturing Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela. Something else he brought up was an investment in ice breakers. He says this is something Russia has 48 of and we only have one very old one but soon we're going to have a big fleet he says and they will be operating them these uh now enson's formerly cadets who are now graduating behind me. He also had some words of advice for the graduates. He told them to never give up. He said always push forward no matter how terrible the storm. make your adversary quit first in what could be a timely comment by him.

[00:18:39]He also said you have to think big for greatness. He told them to always work hard. He said that is how you succeed and talked about how hard he works. And he also told them to be relentless, strong, and brave. Reed, >> well, Katrina Kaufman, we appreciate that update. And also, we see all of those cadets there behind you. We so very much extend so many exciting congratulations to them. Thank you for now.

[00:19:09]>> I would have come out sooner, but I had to call my opponent and concede. And it took a while to find Ed Galrine in Tel Aviv.

[00:19:25]I did get the call through though. I have I have called and conceded the race. Um, we've been honorable the whole time and we're going to stay that way.

[00:19:34]>> The winner of the race tonight is not so much Eddie Yan. I'll come back to that.

[00:19:39]But it's the Republicans of Kentucky Congressional District 4 and their families who I will be a champion for in Washington.

[00:19:55]>> I want to thank you folks who bear with me. I'll keep this short.

[00:19:59]All right, CBS News projects Ed Galrine defeats incumbent Congressman Thomas Matie in Kentucky. The latest Republican to lose a primary to a Trump backed challenger. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navaro shows us what drove voters to dump a sitting congressman.

[00:20:14]The race in Kucky's fourth congressional district is the most expensive primary so far in US history, and it really revolved around President Trump.

[00:20:23]Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican who has represented that northern Kentucky district since 2012, has voted with the president and his party nearly all of the time. But it was those times where he did not that really put him in the political crosshairs of President Trump. In recent months, Massie voted against the president's tax and spending bill that he pushed through last summer, known as the one big beautiful bill. He has voted to limit President Trump's military powers when it comes to his war in Iran. and he was part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers to push for the Epstein files to release. And that matter has frustrated President Trump several times throughout his second term. But it was the Trump team's argument that was proven right on Tuesday night as Massie lost to the president's endorsed challenger, Navy Seal veteran Ed Galin, who has pledged to be a loyalist to President Trump and his agenda. There was also an influx of outside money that came into this Republican primary, about $32 million. a good amount of that being uh pro-Israel groups that have been frustrated with Massie for voting against funding to Israel. Uh Massie has said he is against funding of any kind to any country outside of the United States. But it shows that if you are a Republican politician who has crossed President Trump in any way and he's paying attention to your race, he's endorsed a challenger to you, it's unlikely he you will make it through a primary. And we may see all of that play out soon in the Texas Senate Republican runoff as President Trump has endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton in that race over the incumbent Senator John Cornin. Back to you. All right, thank you for that update. Meanwhile, in Battleground, Georgia, a state that saw record-breaking early voting numbers ahead of yesterday's primary election, one of the victory speeches went a little bit like this. Watch.

[00:22:06]I am a fighter >> and I could not rest knowing that people across this state needed someone to stand in the gap and fight on their behalf. And Georgian sent a clear message tonight >> that they want a fighter.

[00:22:32]>> Someone who will stand up to Donald Trump and all of the chaos. And let's be clear, the only people Bert Jones and Rick Jackson have fought for are themselves.

[00:22:46]Their campaigns are not about Georgians. They are not waking up every single day thinking about the challenges that our families are facing across the state and how to take them on and they certainly do not see Donald Trump as someone to stand up to.

[00:23:06]>> That is former Atlanta Mayor Kesha Lance Bottoms winning the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor and putting potential challengers on notice.

[00:23:14]bottoms faces either Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones or billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson in November.

[00:23:20]Those two squaring off again June 16th.

[00:23:22]CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry picks up the story from Georgia. A lot of interesting headlines coming out of the state of Georgia following Tuesday's primary. Let's start with the gubernatorial races. On the Democrat side, the former Atlanta mayor Kesha Lance Bottoms running away as she is projected to become the Democratic nominee uh that will run for governor uh come November. for a long period of time leading up until Tuesday. Many viewed her as the walk away favorite, but still some skeptics out there didn't realize that she would have such a sizable uh advantage in comparison to the rest of the others uh that were running on the Democratic side of this ticket. On the Republican side, very interesting that race is going into a runoff between the current Republican Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones and the healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson. both of whom uh have touted uh moving forward with conservative agendas, but also uh have been throwing jabs at one another for the last several weeks. And so it'll be incredibly interesting to see what happens moving forward, especially the fact that the current lieutenant governor has the endorsement of President Trump. In the Senate, we know that the Democrat, John Oaf, is running unopposed. But on the Republican side, what we viewed as a three-man race is now down to two. And that is between current Republican Congressman Mike Collins and the outsider, so to speak, the former Tennessee Volunteer football coach Derek Douly, who has had the support of the current Republican Governor Brian Kemp. Kemp says that it is an outsider's perspective that will be needed in order to win not only this primary, but also beat John Osaf in November because of having an outsers's perspective and a lack of a record.

[00:25:09]Meanwhile, Collins says that it is not only his proven record, but experience that is what's going to be needed in order to win in this primary and then of course beat uh John Oaf. A lot of interesting races happening here. We will see what it means to have the Trump endorsement as we look ahead to this runoff and also what that means for those who have a bit more runway so to speak in Kesha Lance Bottoms and John Oaf and how that could potentially be advantageous for them as we look ahead to November. Back to you. All right, thank you so much Skyler. Crews battle wildfires burning thousands of acres in Southern California. These views are from the Sandy and Bane fires near Los Angeles. But this CalFire map gives you a much better idea of the fires in Seami Valley, west of LA. And the Bane Fire is east of that in Riverside County. CBS News Los Angeles Tina Patel and Rick Montinez show you the firefight from the ground.

[00:26:04]>> Well, there has been very little wind this morning. Firefighters taking advantage of that. They've got their helicopters in the air doing water drops. And you can see this pink hillside behind me. That's from one of the retardant drops that they did here.

[00:26:16]The effort has paid off. Right now, no new reports of any homes being damaged or destroyed.

[00:26:20]>> So, I can tell you the conditions are looking dramatically better than they were yesterday, but you could see behind us here all that scorched earth as well as all the smoke that is in the air. I know we've been talking about that in the forecast this morning about the uh health effects of all that smoke. Uh and you can see it just blanketing the area.

[00:26:43]All right, we continue watching this podium in Miami where after the announcement came out that former Cuban President Ral Castro faces a US indictment, there were cheers. As soon as somebody steps to that podium, we'll bring it to you right here on CBS News 247.

[00:27:13]>> Chilling with the queen. Her name is Gail King.

[00:27:16]>> Hey, CBS.

[00:27:17]>> CBS.

[00:27:18]>> CBS Mornings.

[00:27:19]>> CBS Mornings on CBS. And where else?

[00:27:21]Paramount.

[00:27:22]>> See you at 7. CBS CBS CBS Morning >> CBS Mornings.

[00:27:30]>> What she said, >> the only way to get a 360° understanding of America is to get out there in America.

[00:27:42]There really is no swing at all when it comes to the priorities of everyday people. We care about how secure our job is, whether we can plan on retiring with dignity, whether our kids can have a brighter future than we have today.

[00:27:55]These are the fundamentals of American life. And I think they can be again.

[00:28:03]A woman is run off the road.

[00:28:05]>> He just hit my car >> and calls 911.

[00:28:10]>> He is there to kill her.

[00:28:12]>> Surveillance camera images help identify her killer. He appears in a hurry. He was hunting that night.

[00:28:17]>> Absolutely.

[00:28:18]>> 48 Hours now streaming on CBS and Paramount Plus.

[00:28:52]Why doesn't he tell Republicans, "Come into my office. Let's hammer this thing out."

[00:28:56]>> Margaret, it's a totally fair question.

[00:28:58]>> Politics isn't a game. Why are you opposed?

[00:29:04]>> Former Cuban President Ral Castro indicted. Let's go ahead and listen in in Miami.

[00:29:08]>> Resilience and enduring hope for those who came to America seeking liberty after fleeing a tyranny and oppression in Cuba. So many of our parents, our uncles and aunts walk through these doors, 400,000 of them, looking for hope and opportunity. Today is their day. For generations of Cuban exiles, this building became more than a processing center. It became a symbol that freedom was still possible. A symbol that democracy, human dignity, and human rights matter. Today, we remember the four brave men of the brothers to the rescue, whose lives were taken on February 24th, 1996.

[00:29:55]Not in war, but during a humanitarian mission rooted in compassion and in courage. Their sacrifice became a painful reminder to the world of the brutality of the Cuban regime and the high price so many have paid for speaking freely defending democracy and standing for human rights. We also recognize the countless victims who have suffered under the Cuban regime across generations, prisoners, families separated by exile, those silenced for dissonance, and all who have endured persecution. all in the pursuit of freedom and dignity. Their stories, our stories are part are part of the larger story of Cuba, but also the part of the story of Miami and this freedom tower itself. As we gather today, may we honor the memory of those not only with reflection, but with renewed commitment to truth, to justice, and to the preservation.

[00:30:57]>> All right. So, just the first of what's going to be several comments there at Freedom Tower in Miami. As soon as acting US Attorney General Todd Blanch, who you see standing there, comes to the podium, we'll bring that to you. But we have an opportunity to go live right now to Capitol Hill and somebody who has constituents in Florida who today consider this a glorious day. Florida Republican Congresswoman Maria Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Sal Salazar, thank you so much for joining us today.

[00:31:21]Uh, you wrote on social media this morning using that term, "Today is a glorious day, not only for Cubans on the island, but for every Cuban in exile, for every separated family, for every neighbor, every friend, and every loved one who has spent their life waiting for the day to return home." So, I have to ask you, as somebody who's a daughter of Cubit immigrants, what does this mean to you?

[00:31:46]Well, I mean, it's it's there are no words to describe the joy and I'm only speaking on behalf of Florida number 27, which I was just telling you that that press conference is happening in the heart of my district. I represent those people in the United States Congress.

[00:32:01]We're here because there are votes, otherwise we would be there uh sharing uh the news. But in reality is that this is a glorious day for the Cuban people and for the American people. Why do I say that? Because a free Cuba, a democratic Cub Cuba is part of the America first agenda that the president put forth when he won the presidency. He said it, the Western Hemisphere is important and Cuba is the epicenter of evil, of terror in this western hemisphere. Without Cuba, Venezuela would have not existed. Nicaragua would not be there. So, uh, it's it's it's I mean, I can there are no words to describe.

[00:32:36]>> Congresswoman, stay there with us. We're going to listen in to acting US Attorney General Todd Blanch and we might just come back to you. Stay right there.

[00:32:42]Let's listen together.

[00:33:25]Mr. Castro and the others are charged with additional crimes as well, including destruction of aircraft and four individual counts of murder.

[00:33:35]The indictment was returned by a grand jury sitting in this district in Miami on April 23rd, 2026 and was unsealed today. For nearly 30 years, 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice.

[00:33:57]On February, this is a a story all too familiar. On February 24th, 1996, two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue were shot down over international waters by military aircraft from Cuba. Four men were killed. Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandra Jr., Mario De La, and Pablo Morales.

[00:34:28]They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits. As alleged in the indictment, Ru Castro and five codefendants participated in a conspiracy that ended with Cuban military aircraft firing missiles at those civilian planes and killing four Americans. Those are the allegations returned by a federal grand jury. My message today is clear.

[00:35:03]The United States and President Trump does not and will not forget its citizens.

[00:35:40]I want I want to say that we also do not forget the families, the loved ones and the friends who have carried grief and heartache for 30 years. For the first time in nearly 70 years, senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in this country in the United States of America for acts of violence resulting in the deaths of American citizens.

[00:36:07]Nations and their leaders cannot be permitted to target Americans, kill them, and not face accountability.

[00:36:18]President Trump is committed to restoring a very simple but important principle. If you kill Americans, we will pursue you. No matter who you are, no matter what title you hold, and in this case, no matter how much time has passed.

[00:36:32]Um, I want to thank and everybody in this room should thank the FBI, the prosecutors, and the agents who worked on this matter. It includes the intelligence community and our federal and state law enforcement partners. They did the work here. So, thank you.

[00:37:03]There's a reason why myself and the senator and other leadership are here and not in Washington DC to announce this indictment.

[00:37:14]The community here, you all understands the history of the Cuban regime better than anyone in America. Many families here know the cost of oppression. I've heard stories over the past week and past months.

[00:37:28]Every one of them heartbreaking.

[00:37:30]They know that the pain caused by the regime did not stop at the island's shores. And today's indictment, while it does not bring back the murdered victims, it makes a statement. The United States government has not forgotten these innocent men who were shot out of the sky. And as in every criminal case, the defendants are presumed innocent until and proven guilty by a jury of their peers. But today, the Department of Justice has taken an important step and brought this indictment. I'm proud to stand here on this podium with US Attorney Jason Reading Kones to my right, Chris Reya, Deputy Director of the FBI.

[00:38:16]You're going to you're going to get to clap. You're going to get to clap for Jason in 20 seconds. Chris Ray, a deputy director of the FBI and James Oimer, the attorney general of this great state and your and your great US senator is here as well. Uh she's very busy in DC, but uh wouldn't miss this for the world.

[00:38:42]So, thank you for being here, Senator M.

[00:38:50]So, I want to thank I want to thank Jason for his leadership down here in Florida. He's doing a great job beyond today. And I'd also ask him to to replace me at the podium to say a few words. So, thank you, Jason, very much.

[00:39:15]Good afternoon and thank you all for being here.

[00:39:19]It may sound a little repetitive some of the things we're saying, but they're worthy of saying twice, three times, a hundred times. So bear with us. For nearly 70 years, the communist Cuban regime has acted with impunity in its systematic repression of its people. And for the last 30 years, this regime's senior leadership has gone unchallenged for its murder of four Americans. Today, the United States announces a historic indictment charging Raul Castro and five codefendants for their roles in the February 24th, 1996 shootown of two brothers to the rescue.

[00:40:08]A Miami grand jury has charged these defendants with conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder. The victims were four unarmed civilian pilots engaged in humanitarian work. Carlos Costa, Armando Alejande Jr., Mario de Laena, and Pablo Morales. They were not combatants. They were not armed and they pose no threat. According to the indictment, Raul Castro, then Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, authorized and oversaw a military chain of command that ended with Cuban fighter jets firing air-to-air missiles at civilian aircraft over international waters. Those missile those missiles destroyed the planes without warning and killed all aboard.

[00:41:00]For 30 years, the families have waited.

[00:41:04]The Miami community has waited and our country has waited. Today is a step towards accountability.

[00:41:12]This is the first time in almost 70 years that a senior leadership of the Cuban regime has been charged in the United States for acts of violence resulting in the death of Americans.

[00:41:24]The passage of time does not erase murder. It does not diminish the value of those lives and it does not weaken our commitment to the rule of law.

[00:41:36]Standing here in the Freeda Tower, standing here in the Freedom Tower gives this moment added meaning. This is the Ellis Island for Cuban refugees. It was the main processing center for countless exiles who fled communist Cuba with the hopes of reaching the American dream.

[00:41:54]My own mother spent her first night at the United States in this very building.

[00:42:01]After fleeing brutal communist Cuba, like so many families in Miami, mine understands what it means to arrive here with little more than hope and a chance to rebuild under the protection of American law.

[00:42:16]That history reminds me of the duty we carry. A duty to seek justice for victims. A duty to stand with families who have carried this pain for decades.

[00:42:28]And a duty to make it clear that those who kill Americans cannot simply wait out American justice.

[00:42:49]Today's date, May 20th, also carries deep meaning for the Cuban people. It is their Fourth of July. It marks Cuba's independence from colonial Spain. It reminds us that the pursuit of freedom, dignity, and accountability, spans generations, and still lives alive and well in the heart of the Cuban community.

[00:43:14]Today's indictment is one part of that long effort.

[00:43:18]When I came into office in August of last year, I made reviving this case a priority.

[00:43:26]And I want to thank the team that made it happen. My first assistant, US Attorney Yara Lorenzo Kucus and my assistant United States Attorneys, Abby Waxman and Mike Gilfar.

[00:44:02]in conjunction with FBI Miami's Cuban Squad, which we're not going to name or show their faces, for their commitment and drive to seeing this case through. It's incredible work.

[00:44:18]I also want to thank Mr. Attorney General for his incredible support and steady leadership of the department. And before I conclude, I also want to acknowledge the assistance of Florida Attorney General's Office, Attorney General James Uper and his team have been strong partners in this effort. Their support reflects the best of federal and state law enforcement working together in service of justice.

[00:44:53]With that, I turn the podium over to FBI's deputy director, Chris Rya. Thank you.

[00:45:07]All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Uh before I begin, I specifically want to thank the attorney general and of course the US attorney here for allowing me to speak to you all today. And I also want to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to showcase the small part uh that the FBI played. As was stated, today marks a significant moment in a long, long journey for justice. A journey that began 30 years ago with an unprovoked attack on American lives.

[00:45:38]Four humanitarians were on a noble mission to help those fleeing oppression. Instead, their lives were violently taken in a reckless act by the Cuban regime.

[00:45:52]The FBI, the Department of Justice, and countless others never forgot them, and we never stopped hunting for the truth.

[00:46:03]Today's announcement shows that if it's five months, five years, five decades, we will keep pursuing you and we'll keep pursuing anyone who who intends to harm our citizens and they will face American justice.

[00:46:22]I'd like to thank our dedicated special agents, our dedicated prosecutors, our dedicated intelligence analysts, and our dedicated professional staff, as well as our counter intelligence program for never giving up.

[00:46:38]Enormous, enormous credit is due to the many teams across the 16 different FBI cases regarding this matter. the teams who have worked to hold members of the Cuban government's Wasp network accountable.

[00:46:54]Our people have systematically and relentlessly searched for evidence, conducted countless interviews, and pieced together critical intelligence for nearly three decades.

[00:47:06]They turned dead ends into fresh leads.

[00:47:10]And over the years, that hard work has paid off with convictions of multiple operatives for activities related to that vicious shootown.

[00:47:20]The charges we announced today are only the latest milestone on that road to justice. A road paved with persistence, partnership, and extreme, extreme resolve.

[00:47:32]Do anyone who spies on our country or harms our citizens know this? The FBI, the Department of Justice has a long memory. We will come after you and we will find you.

[00:48:00]As I close, I'd like to close with a personal anecdote as this is deeply personable personal to me.

[00:48:08]You see, I was a former member of the United States Coast Guard right here in Miami Beach in Key West, Florida in the 1990s. I conducted numerous, numerous humanitarian missions with my fellow Coast Guardsmen, rescuing Cuban citizens who were just trying to find a better life.

[00:48:29]I also was was fortunate enough to act as security during remembrance ceremonies held at the 12 nautical mile limit just outside of Cuban territorial waters. I served on Coast Guard cutters that provided the security to the friends and family who were just trying to remember their lost loved ones. So for me, today brings everything full circle.

[00:48:58]So in that vein, we dedicate all three decades of casework to the memories of the loved ones lost that day, to the victims, families, and friends. We stand with you as we hold those responsibilities to account. Now, I'm going to turn it over to the US Senator of this great state, Senator Moody.

[00:49:20]Thank you.

[00:49:26]What a day.

[00:49:29]What a day.

[00:49:33]Three months ago, I joined you on the anniversary to mark the killing of Carlos Armando Mario Pablo and I said it was not a cold case.

[00:49:49]It was never a cold case. It was a never a who done it. We always knew who was responsible for the killing of those young men.

[00:50:01]That was three months ago.

[00:50:04]And I am so proud to join you today to say we're finally bringing justice to those families. And not just those families. Everyone sitting here today for the past 30 years who have kept this case hot, who have met with me as the attorney general, who repeatedly met with law enforcement, who repeatedly met with leaders, so many who came together and kept that case hot, like those that are no longer with us, like Lincoln Diaz Bolard.

[00:50:38]He would be right here in the front row today.

[00:50:46]They kept it hot.

[00:50:49]And just three months later, we are standing here on this important day when Cuba became a free state, a free people to say we are living up to bringing accountability to the Castros and the regime that stole that independence. That's what we're doing today.

[00:51:15]It's an honor to be here today with our acting attorney general Todd Blanch as the indictment is unsealed against others but particularly against Raul Castro for his role in the brothers to the rescue murders. This moment has been decades in the making. And I want to thank all of the lawyers who read over all of the trial transcripts, the weeks and weeks of trial transcripts that put back together every piece of evidence and waited for that last piece of evidence to come into view and into your possession and never gave up. And never gave up.

[00:51:56]For so many Cuban families, they know you can never become complacent in defending liberty, in fighting for freedom. And Florida is the symbolism of fighting for freedom. We the beating heartbeat of that for this nation. So I thank you. Thank you for being here today and remembering what it's like to hold tyrants accountable.

[00:52:30]And it is why I applaud the Department of Justice for bringing these charges.

[00:52:36]You know, previous administrations, as those of you met with leadership, reminded them of 30 years ago what happened.

[00:52:48]Previous administrations would release the one person we convicted related to it, maybe even go down there and go to a baseball game. The last administration decided we were going to, I don't know, rel uh relax our banking restrictions or whatever, maybe coddle them into freedom.

[00:53:09]But not this administration.

[00:53:13]They took the bold step of actually bringing accountability and understanding that accountability works.

[00:53:29]So we thank President Trump for recognizing that, for being brave and bringing justice for these four men, for their families, and indeed for freedom.

[00:53:45]And I want to tell you when Governor DeSantis appointed me to be your new newest United States senator, he did so and said,"I want you to take everything you know about this state, every person you've met with, everything you've learned, every battle you've fought to make Florida what it is, take that to Washington, and let's get things done." And I am so proud to be here today to say we got things done.

[00:54:21]And so on today, May 20th, on the day that Cuba became a free and independent state, I would like to end my visit with you by reading the following.

[00:54:39]And it is a penalty sheet in the Southern District of Florida, United State District Court, advising that Raul Castro will face count one, conspiracy to kill US nationals facing a maximum term of imprisonment of life imprisonment.

[00:55:06]Counts two and three, destruction of aircraft, facing a maximum term of imprisonment on each count of up to five years in prison. And counts four through seven, the charges of murder, facing a maximum term of imprisonment on each count of death or life imprisonment.

[00:55:27]God bless you. God bless this great free state of Florida and our United States of America.

[00:56:03]Good morning. It's an honor to be here and support Attorney General Blanch, Senator Moody, and your >> All right. Okay. Hey, so you have been watching continuing coverage on this day when the Department of Justice announces Ral Castro's indictment connected to the 1996 downing of planes. Jake Rosen joining us from our Washington DC bureau. Jake, a couple of questions that I have. One of those is what's next in this process here. This is an indictment. Yes. But now does Ral Castro come maybe individual personal property rights suffocates merit and centralizes total power in the hands of tyrants.

[00:56:48]We've seen what communism has brought us.

[00:56:51]Over a 100 million people that have lost their lives, engineered famines, and the total destruction of human liberty.

[00:57:04]Just 90 miles from our Florida shorelines, the Castro family has ruled the island with an iron fist.

[00:57:12]For nearly 50 years, Raul Castro directed the armed forces and served as chief enforcer.

[00:57:21]The very man who traded the promise of revolution for a prison state.

[00:57:28]and under his command and to this day, Cuba remains a dungeon.

[00:57:34]Political dissident are ripped from their homes at night under fabricated charges. They're dragged through the streets, beaten, and imprisoned for decades.

[00:57:47]I know this pain is all too real for many of you in this room.

[00:57:52]The people have long suffered because of that communist regime.

[00:57:58]And today that hits very close to home here in the Freedom Tower with the brothers to the rescue.

[00:58:06]Raul Castro ordered those fighter jets to shoot down unarmed civilian aircraft.

[00:58:14]It was not an accident. It was intentional premeditated state sanctioned murder.

[00:58:24]and their criminal conspiracy violated Florida's sovereignty. They embedded spies here in Miami and across jurisdictions down into the Florida Keys, revealing the intelligence that would put these civilian aircraft in the crosshairs.

[00:58:42]And yet, for too long, leaders in Washington looked the other way. They sat by idally. They even attended baseball games with the very man that directed the murders.

[00:58:56]Not anymore. We are blessed to have a president, Donald J. Trump.

[00:59:12]We are blessed to have a president in Donald J. Trump who will not bend the knee for communist tyrants.

[00:59:25]And we are blessed to have Attorney General Blanch and your United States Attorney that advance justice and rule of law and who are not going to politically weaponize government.

[00:59:45]It's an honor to support them in this endeavor. Uh last year, right after I took office, I directed our prosecutors to reopen the investigation into the Castros and these murders. Working handinand with the US attorney and supporting his team, we are today one step closer to advancing justice.

[01:00:15]And the cooperation between the United States and state of Florida could not be more critical than today. Americans deserve justice. Flidians deserve justice. The family members of these men that lost their lives, they deserve justice.

[01:00:32]Now, going forward, let me be crystal clear. There can be no future for a free Cuba so long as the Castros and their criminal gang of thugs remain in power.

[01:01:12]We now have the leaders that will pursue that which is right and just. That I know. So get ready. There's more to come. God bless America and God bless the free state of Florida.

[01:01:35]So, we're going to just take a couple questions, although the questions should be directed to uh the reason why we're here today and not something else. So, are there other reporters and uh Pierre, Attorney General Blanch, uh key question, why now? Was there a breakthrough in this case? Can you speak to the evidence that leads you to believe that Rao Castro directly participated in the deaths of those Americans who were killed? And I have a followup.

[01:02:06]>> Well, I cannot explain or justify why now as opposed to two decades ago or 30 years ago when it happened. But what I can say is that you just heard a lot of people talk about a ton of work that the FBI did, state and local intelligence communities, our US attorney and and and the attorney general's state attorney general's team and that evidence was presented to a grand jury um in late April and an indictment was returned. So I can't as far as what the evidence is. Well, a lot of it's in the indictment and it would not be appropriate or fair to comment outside of the indictment about the evidence, but as as you guys know, a grand jury is presented with evidence and and and then returns an indictment to the extent that that they believe there's probable cause that a crime has been committed, which a grand jury certainly did here.

[01:02:54]>> And quick followup, what are the prospects that you could get Ralph Castro to the United States to face justice uh given the situation there?

[01:03:03]Uh, and what st step steps are the US willing to take to get him back here?

[01:03:08]>> Well, we we indict men outside of this country all the time, and there's all kinds of different ways that we get them here. The reason why we indict somebody is because we want them here to face justice in front of a jury of their peers. So, how we go about doing that obviously depends on the circumstances in the case and I'm not going to go beyond that, but but we we expect that we didn't indict this isn't a show indictment. This is an indictment because we we expect that there was a warrant issued for his arrest. So um we expect that that he will show up here um by his own will or by another way and go to next question.

[01:04:02]>> Yep. Go ahead.

[01:04:06]>> Are any others than the Castro family potentially tied up in this? Could there be other charges from members in the Castro family from the Castro regime?

[01:04:17]Well, as you just heard, this is a indictment in some ways 30 years in the making. There is not a prosecutor in this room or an FBI agent in this room that ever stops investigating. So, um whether there will be additional charges, whether are um the additional defendants charged um who who knows, but this an investigation like this is never over. And so I I assure you the men and women who have been working tirelessly on this case um for the past several months years are not just going to retire. So you just point to somebody I don't Good afternoon. Many Cuban Americans are elated, emotional, hopeful on a day like today. What do you tell the Cuban community who is happy about today's announcement but is wondering how you pursue these charges? What comes next?

[01:05:11]>> I mean, that's the same question I just answered. I think that that there's a process that happens, right? And so, what's the first process is it's a it's a charge. It's an indictment and that happens all across this country constantly. And then the next question is, okay, so one, is this guy gonna show up and and and you know, appear in court and and have a trial or or what what have you? And I I would say to to those that wonder whether this is um just an indictment or we're going to go away, we're not. So go ahead. Yes, the blue shirt. Yeah, >> I'll go to the middle next.

[01:05:53]Attorney General Blanch, we would like to know what would be the next step to a lot of people are wondering if there will be any sort of attack, military response from the United States. If this now indictment gives permission for the United States to be closer to Cuba and again get Raul Castro and those others implicated here to the United States.

[01:06:18]>> So I'm I'm the acting attorney general of the Department of Justice. We bring charges. So the question you asked is is is a question that involves um the department, the president of the United States, the secretary of war, the secretary of state, and doesn't doesn't involve um the acting attorney general.

[01:06:37]So, all I what I can tell you is that that this is is um this indictment, as we've said a bunch of times today, is a result of of a lot of hard work and and what we believe is an important step in bringing um some semblance of justice to the families of of and friends and loved ones of of these men who were murdered.

[01:06:58]Um but beyond that, I'm not going to talk about what could happen with Cuba beyond that.

[01:07:04]>> Yes. Go ahead.

[01:07:06]Attorney General Gloria Ordas from Termundo Inquento. Thank you for this opportunity.

[01:07:12]The next step is going to be an arrest warrant. And I ask you this because um the Cuban exile would love to see Rahul Castro in the same position of Nicolas Maduro and and a lot of legal experts that we have interviewed during these days have said that Raul Castro that this indictment will be more symbolic that than practice and that Rahul Castro who probably died in Cuba. What is your message for them?

[01:07:50]>> Well, I'm not going to compare cases for one, for two, um, like I said a few minutes ago, we indict men who are not physically within the United States all the time. This is not a new um, endeavor or venture adventure for us.

[01:08:06]And so, the way that we get people here who are charged with a crime varies.

[01:08:11]There's all kinds of different ways. And and this is not, you know, there's an arrest warrant issued for a reason because we we certainly expect and believe that Mr. Castro was entitled to his day in court right here in Miami.

[01:08:24]>> Um, yep. Thank you, sir. Jesse Kers with NBC News. Uh, you mentioned that the grand jury uh approved these charges weeks ago. Curious to know what, if any, role the CIA director's visit to Cuba in recent days played in deciding to move forward with announcing this indictment.

[01:08:41]And I want >> I'm not going to get into why we decided to um unseal the indictment today except to note the place that we're standing and the important day that today represents. But yes, you're right.

[01:08:54]There's a lot of factors that go into when a sealed indictment is unsealed, if ever. And and so beyond just just the fact that look, it by the way, it wasn't that long ago. It was late April. It's it's midmay. So >> thank you. One other question. when when when if people look at this and say this is at least partially just a pretext to push for regime change in Cuba, what would you say to people who take that perspective?

[01:09:18]>> I don't care what people look at and think. I mean, we returned an indictment and um that's what we're here to talk about. If if people want to speculate or think what they will, I don't I don't care. Okay, one more question. Blue.

[01:09:29]>> Hi. So, the final speaker Oh, thank you.

[01:09:32]Hi, I'm Deborah Aassa with the Wall Street Journal. The final speaker mentioned or hinted at a potential team of people that has been put together to lead the country. Who are those people?

[01:09:44]Are they in the United States? Are they in Cuba? Is it a mix of both? Can you share a little bit more about that team?

[01:09:52]>> I can I'm not sure what you're talking about. Can you say it again?

[01:09:56]>> At the very the final speaker mentioned that there was a team of people that's going to lead this forward.

[01:10:03]nickname, >> huh?

[01:10:04]>> Final speaker.

[01:10:05]>> So, why don't we let the final speaker address that >> and thank you for the new nickname.

[01:10:12]>> Yeah. Yeah. Very good.

[01:10:13]>> Will ever be known as the final speaker.

[01:10:15]>> That's probably easier to pronounce than my last name, Hmire. But, uh, I I I don't think I referenced what you're saying where I talked about people spread across the state. I was talking about the spies and the criminal conspiracy that the evidence has revealed took place. There were spies working from Miami all the way down to the Florida Keys, gathering intelligence and providing it to the regime uh to to figure out where these aircraft were going to be and put them in harm's way.

[01:10:42]Uh as far as other geopolitical things, I'm I'm going to stay in my lane for now. Thank you everyone. This concludes a press conference on behalf of Miami Date College in the Freedom Tower. Thank you so much for being here and you may go.

[01:11:02]>> Good afternoon. I'm Lindsay Riser. We have been listening to top Justice Department officials discuss today's unsealed indictment against Raul Castro of Cuba. The former Cuban leader there and five others being indicted by a US grand jury in Florida in connection with the Cuban military's fatal downing of two planes 30 years ago. These planes belong to humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, helping Cuban migrants in distress. This is uh part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Cuba. Castro remaining one of the most powerful figures at 94 years old in Cuba. And it's not clear whether he will stand trial. Cuba does not extradite to the US. Um we did hear uh Blanch who was asked about that, the acting attorney general. Um, and we will certainly be talking about that with CBS News correspondent Cristian Benvdas who is in Miami now. Cristian, what more are we learning about these charges? Um, and and why now?

[01:12:06]>> Lindsay, uh, lot of questions about why now, but I will just mention that for the CubanAmerican community, I mean, this is a moment that they've waited for for three decades. I mean, they've waited even longer for some sort of regime change in Cuba, which is what they're all hoping for, that something such as this will eventually lead to.

[01:12:25]Importantly, within that indictment, four counts of murder and also conspiracy to kill US nationals. Those four counts of murder, three US citizens and one US resident who were shot down uh on a humanitarian mission. They were on humanitarian planes, part of an organization known as Brothers to the Rescue. So what this organization would do is that they would fly over the Florida Straits and international waters and they would help Cubans who often would be in distress as they made their way in rafts and whatever they could find from Cuba seeking freedom to Florida. And so during one of these missions, uh what happened was that the Cuban regime shot down two planes. one plane uh was able to make it back to Florida. And now you probably can't hear I just have to pause for a minute, but I'm starting to hear just some chanting from some of the from the small crowd that has gathered in front of the Freedom Tower uh chanting USA, USA and down with uh Cuba and the Cuban government. Um back to this indictment.

[01:13:33]And I mean, what it means to Cubanameans here in South Florida that have waited for this moment for so long is uh just difficult to put into words. I spoke to Jose Basuto. As I mentioned, there were three planes that went on that mission from Brothers to the Rescue. Two of them were shot down with those four people killed under orders of Raul Castro. One of those planes did make it back and uh and Jose, who we spoke to, was in that plane. Let's take a listen. At one point I saw uh to the right of my plane uh a big black cloud meaning that that was one of my brothers uh that has been taken down.

[01:14:15]>> Do you ever think back about that day?

[01:14:18]>> No.

[01:14:19]>> Why not?

[01:14:21]>> Because it's painful.

[01:14:23]>> Do you want Raul Castro to be brought here to Miami to face justice? I hope he has his made to come here to the US to be indicted and receive justice.

[01:14:40]And that is the hope of so many who live here uh from the Cuban exile community that Raul Castro would be brought to face justice here in Miami where um a grand jury has returned this indictment.

[01:14:53]Now, will that actually happen? That is a major major question. Would the US government go in uh in a similar way that they did to Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela? That is unclear. We do not know if they would do that, but certainly it gives the US an opportunity to enact pressure on a regime that the US government has already said uh they want to change.

[01:15:17]>> And you're talking about some of the reaction you're hearing outside. Inside, we also heard a ton of reaction. It was a very unusual setting for something like this. Usually there's not sort of this this crowd of people um who are who are cheering. Do we know who was in attendance there for that press conference?

[01:15:34]>> Well, right. You really had a who's who of uh CubanAmerican politicians and leaders and commissioners and really across the political spectrum. The Miami date county mayor who is a Democrat was in there. Uh Eileen Higgins who is a Democrat here in Miami was also in there. and uh a number of elected officials on the GOP side. Really here in South Florida, uh what happens with Cuban politics just transcends politics even though it has so much meaning and gives so much advantage to uh the GOP here in South Florida. When you talk to politicians who represent certain districts, it it is clear that they are for the free the freedom of Cuba and for Cubanameans. This is just so meaningful.

[01:16:22]I keep hearing in the background, it may be difficult to hear on your end, but I just keep hearing in the background that small crowd that has gathered in front of the Freedom Tower. And uh what a symbolic moment on uh Cuba's Independence Day, May 20th, at the Freedom Tower, which is known as the Ellis Island uh of the South, where so many Cuban refugees were processed. Uh this was perhaps the first place that they slept, the first place that they had a taste of freedom was here at the Freedom Tower. And now to have this indictment be announced here. I mean, it could have been in so many other places.

[01:16:56]You could have had the indictment be announced in DC. You could have had this uh be announced at the district attorney's office here um at the US attorney's office, excuse me, here in in South Florida. But to have it at the Freedom Tower, to have the audience that you had, people who were members of Brothers to the Rescue, who risked their lives to help those Cubans who were escaping from this uh brutal and authoritarian regime in search for freedom. That's why you heard all that cheering that was going on in there. And that's why uh off in the distance, that small crowd that has gathered here in front of the Freedom Tower has been cheering.

[01:17:34]>> Okay, Christian Benvitz, thank you so much.

[01:17:38]We are going to take a quick break.

[01:17:40]You're watching CBS News 247.