US charges Raul Castro as Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Cuba

The US has criminally charged former Cuban leader Raul Castro, 94, for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft by Brothers to the Rescue, which killed four people. Acting US Attorney Todd Blanche unsealed the indictment in Miami, charging Castro and five others with conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of an aircraft, and murder counts. This represents an escalation of pressure on Cuba by the Trump administration.