Trending Now - Cuba Targets Exiles in Boat Attack, Florida Reopens Castro Case

WHO:

Cuba's Prosecutor’s Office

Edward Robert Campbell, Chief Prosecutor

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier

Raul Castro, former Cuban leader

Michael Ortega Casanova, brother of one of the deceased

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez

U.S. citizens involved: at least one killed, at least one arrested

WHAT:

Cuba filed terrorism charges against six suspects aboard a Florida-flagged speedboat.

The suspects are of Cuban origin and remain in pretrial detention.

The suspects allegedly opened fire on Cuban soldiers, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

Cuban forces returned fire during the incident.

The boat was reported to have 12 high-powered weapons, over 12,800 pieces of ammunition, and 11 pistols.

Florida has reopened a criminal investigation into Raul Castro's role in the 1996 shootdown of exile planes.

The investigation was previously shut down by the Biden administration.

The U.S. has only convicted one person related to the 1996 shootdown, Gerardo Hernández, who was sentenced to life in prison but released in December 2014.

WHERE:

Incident occurred in waters off Cuba’s north coast.

Florida, USA (specifically mentioned Miami and Monroe County).

The 1996 shootdown involved planes operated by anti-communist exiles.

WHEN:

Charges filed on March 4, 2026.

The gunbattle at sea occurred on February 25, 2026.

The 30th anniversary of the 1996 shootdown was in February 2026.

The investigation into Raul Castro was reactivated on March 4, 2026.

WHY:

Cuba claims the suspects intended to commit acts of terrorism against military units.

The reopening of the investigation into Raul Castro is motivated by calls for accountability regarding the 1996 shootdown.

HOW:

The suspects allegedly infiltrated Cuba aboard a speedboat and opened fire on Cuban soldiers.

The investigation into Raul Castro was reactivated following pressure from Florida lawmakers and the anniversary of the shootdown.

Cuba's Prosecutor's Office has filed terrorism charges against six suspects who allegedly opened fire on Cuban soldiers from a Florida-flagged speedboat, resulting in the deaths of four individuals during a gunbattle at sea on February 25. The suspects, who are of Cuban origin, remain in pretrial detention, while Florida has reopened a criminal investigation into Raul Castro's involvement in the 1996 shootdown of exile planes, a case that had been previously closed by the Biden administration. This renewed investigation comes amid pressure from Florida lawmakers and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the tragic event.