A Florida judge has issued an arrest warrant for former Cuban President Raúl Castro, accusing him of conspiring to commit first-degree murder in connection with the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft that killed four people.

The warrant, signed by Miami-Dade Circuit Chief Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan, follows an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the February 24, 1996, incident involving aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based humanitarian organisation that assisted Cuban refugees.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the warrant on Monday, October 19, saying Castro, now 95, played a central role in ordering the attack.

According to investigators, Cuban fighter jets shot down two unarmed aircraft over international waters, killing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario de la Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr.

Prosecutors allege that Cuban intelligence agents operating in Florida infiltrated the humanitarian organisation and transmitted flight information to authorities in Havana before the attack.

The warrant charges Castro with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, a first-degree felony under Florida law. The court ordered that he be held without bond if arrested.

The development comes five months after federal prosecutors announced separate criminal charges against Castro and five former Cuban military officials over the same incident.

Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel Castro as Cuba’s president in 2008 and stepped down in 2018, has not been taken into custody.

Florida authorities say they intend to pursue his extradition if he is apprehended outside the state.

The case remains active, and investigators have indicated that additional charges are possible.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Florida judge issues arrest warrant for former Cuban President Raúl Castro over 1996 killings.