Trump Signals Possible Military Move on Cuba After Castro Indictment

Tensions between Washington and Havana have reached their sharpest point in years, raising the prospect of direct U.S. intervention in the Caribbean and further economic strain on an already fragile Cuban economy. The shift follows an indictment charging former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with ordering the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft flown by Miami-based exiles, an event that killed four people. President Trump told reporters that prior administrations had considered action for decades, adding that it now appears he will be the one to act. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a peaceful negotiated agreement remains the administration’s preference yet described the likelihood of success as low given the current Cuban government. Rubio also noted that Cuba has long relied on delaying tactics and that the present approach will not allow further postponement. The remarks coincided with the arrival of the USS Nimitz carrier strike group in the region for exercises that began in March, according to U.S. Southern Command. Federal prosecutors unsealed charges against the 94-year-old Castro on Wednesday, accusing him of murder and aircraft destruction tied to the Brothers to the Rescue incident. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the indictment a political stunt intended to justify aggression. Rubio announced additional sanctions targeting GAESA, the military-run conglomerate that dominates large sectors of the Cuban economy, and reported the arrest of a GAESA executive’s sister whose green card was revoked. Administration officials have cited Cuba’s security and intelligence links with Russia and China as a core national-security concern. China’s Foreign Ministry responded by condemning external interference and affirming support for Cuban sovereignty. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned against methods bordering on violence toward heads of state. Past administrations permitted family members of Cuban military figures to reside in the United States; Rubio said that practice has ended. Discussions of potential humanitarian measures, including aid offers, have occurred alongside the sanctions but have not produced agreement.