U.S. Rules Out Escalation as Cuba Tensions Rise Over Old Plane Case

(MENAFN) The U.S. president has stated that there is no justification for intensifying actions against Cuba, despite months of growing pressure on the country. He emphasized that the situation does not require further escalation, describing Cuba as severely unstable. As stated in remarks to reporters, he said, "There won't be escalation. I don't think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart. It's a mess, and they sort of lost control, they've really lost control of Cuba," while speaking at a military base in Maryland.

When asked whether he might consider a military-style operation similar to past interventions in other countries, he avoided giving a direct answer, stating, "I don't want to say that."

Earlier the same day, the U.S. Justice Department announced federal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in connection with a decades-old incident involving the downing of civilian aircraft in 1996. According to reports, prosecutors allege that Castro and others were involved in a conspiracy linked to the deaths of U.S. nationals after Cuban fighter jets shot down two planes operated by a Miami-based exile group known as *Brothers to the Rescue*.

At a public event honoring victims of the 1996 incident, officials stated that the charges include conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft, and multiple counts of murder. Court documents reportedly outline accusations covering four deaths and additional related offenses.

The indictment, filed in a federal court in Miami, formally accuses Castro of involvement in the operation that led to the shootdown, alongside other unnamed individuals.

Cuban leadership strongly rejected the allegations. President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez condemned the move, calling it false and accusing the U.S. administration of distorting historical events surrounding the incident, which occurred nearly 30 years ago.

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