The key facts

  • A Florida court issued an arrest warrant for 95-year-old Raúl Castro on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder
  • The case concerns the 1996 shootdown of two aircraft of the group Brothers to the Rescue, in which four people died
  • China called the US actions an abuse of judicial measures and demanded the lifting of the blockade of Cuba

Arrest Warrant and Charges

A Florida state court has issued an arrest warrant for former Cuban president Raúl Castro. As Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Monday, Castro, who is 95 years old, is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The basis was the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft of the organization Brothers to the Rescue — a Miami-based group of Cuban emigrants; four people died at the time. In addition, in May Castro was charged by US federal authorities over the same incident. Castro led Cuba from 2008 to 2018.

Beijing's Reaction

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing that Castro is a 'highly respected Cuban leader' who enjoys high standing in the world. She noted that Beijing took note of the words of the president and foreign minister of Cuba, who characterized the US actions as a 'despicable political farce.' 'We oppose the abuse of judicial means and pressure on Cuba, and we firmly support Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and countering external interference,' Mao Ning said. She called on Washington to immediately end the blockade and other coercive measures against Cuba, and also to stop infringing on the Cuban people's rights to survival and development.