Uthmeier announces warrant charging Raúl Castro in 1996 shootdown of 2 civilian aircraft

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that state prosecutors have secured an arrest warrant charging Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft over international waters.The warrant, secured by the Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, charges one count under Florida law. The offense is a first-degree felony, and the court ordered no bond. The case remains active, and further charges are possible.The shootdown happened Feb. 24, 1996, when three unarmed Cessna aircraft departed Opa-Locka Airport in Miami-Dade County. After the planes crossed the 24th parallel southbound, Cuban MiG fighter jets destroyed two with air-to-air missiles, killing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario de la Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr., according to the affidavit.The affidavit says the planes were flying away from Cuba and received no warning, despite having contact with Havana air traf