A federal indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro sparked celebration and renewed calls for justice across South Florida’s Cuban exile community on Monday.
Dozens gathered in Miami to react to the criminal charges filed by the government — and unsealed Wednesday — connected to the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian planes. The attack that killed four people.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Cuban American army veteran Juan Antúnez. “Just the fact that he’s being indicted and shown to be a potential criminal [is] a lot.”
Community members across Dade waved Cuban flags and called for freedom on the island, many describing the indictment as symbolic of a broader fight against Cuba’s communist government.
Inside Miami’s Freedom Tower, former Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo said the moment should send a message to Cubans still living on the island.
“It’s very important that the exile community could communicate with the people on the island to let them know that we’re in this thing together,” said Bovo.
Present Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo said he hopes the indictment leads to further action.
“We hope that today doesn’t stay just as a symbol, but it’s followed through with some quick and decisive action to bring freedom to Cuba,” said Calvo.
For many in South Florida’s Cuban community, the indictment represents not only a historic legal action, but also renewed hope for accountability and freedom in Cuba.
