Havana, May 21, 2026: The government of Cuba on Thursday strongly condemned accusations announced by the United States Department of Justice against Raúl Castro Ruz, describing the move as a “despicable” and politically motivated act.
In a statement issued through the Cuban Embassy, the Revolutionary Government rejected what it termed an unlawful and illegitimate action by the United States authorities against Army General Raúl Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution.
The statement said the U.S. government lacked both legitimacy and jurisdiction to pursue such action and accused Washington of engaging in political provocation based on what it described as a distorted interpretation of the 1996 aircraft incident involving the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue.
According to the Cuban government, the two aircraft shot down in February 1996 had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace for hostile purposes, despite repeated warnings and formal complaints lodged by Havana with the U.S. authorities and international organizations.
The statement claimed that between 1994 and 1996, Cuba filed numerous complaints with the U.S. State Department, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization regarding more than 25 alleged violations of Cuban airspace by the organization.
Cuba said Washington had ignored public and official warnings issued by Cuban authorities, including alerts conveyed directly to the U.S. President regarding the potential consequences of continued airspace violations.
The Cuban government maintained that its response to the incident constituted an act of legitimate self-defense under the United Nations Charter, the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, and internationally recognized principles of sovereignty and proportionality.
The statement further argued that the United States itself would not tolerate repeated hostile incursions into its airspace and accused Washington of failing to act against alleged terrorist and violent activities planned from U.S. territory against Cuba.
Cuba also criticized what it called U.S. double standards, alleging that Washington had itself used disproportionate military force in anti-drug operations and carried out actions that, according to Havana, amounted to extrajudicial killings.
Describing the accusations against Raúl Castro as part of broader pressure tactics, the Cuban government said the move formed part of attempts by anti-Cuban groups to justify tougher unilateral sanctions and what it called collective punishment against the Cuban people.
The statement reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to peace while asserting what it described as the nation’s inalienable right to self-defense under international law.
Concluding the statement, the Cuban government reiterated its full support for Raúl Castro and reaffirmed its determination to defend the country and its socialist revolution.
