The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former Cuban leader Raul Castro, and the Trump administration is increasing pressure on Cuba.

According to Mars Finance, on May 21, the U.S. Department of Justice released an indictment formally charging former Cuban leader Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz with crimes related to the 1996 Cuban fighter jet shooting down two humanitarian aid planes, an incident that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. nationals, including three U.S. citizens. Raúl Castro, the brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, served as President of the Council of State of Cuba from 2008 to 2018. This legal action is the latest move in the Trump administration's campaign to exert maximum pressure on the Cuban regime. The Trump administration has previously imposed sanctions on Cuba's military and intelligence services and has consistently called on the Cuban leadership to end its oppression of the Cuban people and reach an agreement with the United States. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on social media, stating that the U.S. government's charges only expose the arrogance and frustration of the imperial representatives in the face of the Cuban Revolution's unwavering determination and the unity and moral strength of its leadership. He accused it of being a politically motivated manipulation without any legal basis. It is worth noting that former President Biden, before leaving office, withdrew Cuba's designation as a "state sponsor of terrorism" and repealed Trump's first-term policy memorandum on Cuba. However, Trump reinstated Cuba's designation as a "state sponsor of terrorism" on his inauguration day in January 2025, and subsequently issued a more stringent national security presidential memorandum. The Trump administration recently announced sanctions against entities such as the Cuban military-owned GAESA, accusing them of enriching corrupt elites rather than benefiting the people. The White House statement also hinted at the prospect of possible military action against the Cuban regime, stating that President Trump continues to demonstrate his resolve to confront national security threats abroad, citing previous military actions that successfully captured Venezuelan dictator Maduro and eliminated Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities.