Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Cuba President Raul Castro was last seen in public on May 1, 2026 at a May Day rally marking International Workers' Day in Havana (AFP via Getty Images)Former Cuban President Raul Castro, the 94-year-old brother of Fidel Castro, has been indicted in the United States on murder charges, according to Reuters.Castro, a key leader alongside Fidel in the 1959 guerrilla war, was instrumental in toppling the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and launching Cuba's communist revolution. Among his significant roles, he helped defeat the US-organised Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and oversaw Cuba's overseas military interventions, particularly in Africa.Castro's political ascent began in 2006 when Fidel fell ill, leading him to serve as acting president before formally becoming president in 2008. He served as president until 2018. After stepping down, he retained the honorific title of "army general" and continued to wield significant influence within Cuba's Communist Party, armed forces, and state institutions. Current President Miguel Diaz-Canel is widely seen as relying on Castro's guidance for major decisions. In December 2025, Castro proposed postponing the Communist Party congress scheduled to choose Diaz-Canel's successor, citing the country's deep economic crisis.Castro last appeared in public on 1 May for International Workers' Day. Wearing a military uniform, he marched alongside Diaz-Canel and other officials but appeared fatigued and had to sit down suddenly during the ceremony.In fullDOJ plans to indict former Cuban president Raúl Castro, sources sayThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The announcement is expected at a ceremony to mark the deadly 1996 shooting of two civilian planes, which remains one of the most politically charged episodes in modern U.S.-Cuba…

The 94-year-old former leader of Cuba faces several charges, including four counts of murder for an attack on a humanitarian group more than 30 years ago.

Raúl Castro is being indicted on charges related to Cuba's deadly 1996 shootdown of planes operated by humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, U.S. officials told CBS News…

The indictment comes as Trump pushes for a regime change in Cuba, where Castro's communists have been in charge since Fidel Castro led a revolution in 1959.

For nearly 70 years, Raúl Castro helped guide Cuba through its revolution and into the 21st century. What's next?

Move comes as Trump pushes for regime change on communist-ruled island

Raul Castro has been indicted on murder charges, according to US court records

The move is the latest escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against the island's communist government.

Castro, 94, last appeared in public in Cuba earlier this month, and there is no evidence that he has since left the island or that the government would allow him to be extradited

It's the latest step by the Trump administration to punish Cuba's communist government and officials. Raul stepped down from the presidency in 2018.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Cuba President Raul Castro was last…

An unsealed indictment accused Castro and others of a conspiracy to kill Americans and other charges.

An unsealed indictment accused Castro and others of a conspiracy to kill Americans and other charges.

Move comes as Trump pushes for regime change on communist-ruled island

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Communist guerrilla, Bay of Pigs defender and Fidel Castro's successor, Raul Castro is now the target of a U.S. criminal indictment.

Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, 94, was indicted by the DOJ over the 1996 killings of four Americans. Though retired, he still lives in Cuba. | World News

Raúl Castro, exmandatario de Cuba y figura histórica de la Revolución, fue acusado en EU de asesinato y conspiración para matar.

Raul Castro, the younger brother of Fidel Castro and the last surviving cast member of the Cuban revolution, relinquished power in 2021 but remains an influential figure in…