By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-raul-castro-indictment-is-a-very-important-moment-for-cubans Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says Raúl Castro indictment is 'a very important moment' for Cubans Politics May 20, 2026 7:14 PM EDT President Donald Trump called it a '"very big day" for Cubans after former Cuban President Raúl Castro was indicted Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice. Watch Trump's remarks in the video player above. "I think this is a very big day, very important day," Trump told reporters on the tarmac, after flying back from Connecticut. The comments came shortly after federal prosecutors announced charges against Raúl Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the island's socialist government. READ MORE: What to know about Brothers to the Rescue, Cuban exiles' group at the heart of Raúl Castro's indictment The indictment was related to Castro's alleged role in the shootdown of two small planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, now 94, was Cuba's defense minister at the time. The charges included murder and destruction of an airplane. Trump said that the CIA has a presence in Cuba and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been involved in discussions with the island's leadership. But Trump added of applying more economic pressure to Cuba, "There won't be escalation. I don't think there needs to be." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump called it a '"very big day" for Cubans after former Cuban President Raúl Castro was indicted Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice. Watch Trump's remarks in the video player above. "I think this is a very big day, very important day," Trump told reporters on the tarmac, after flying back from Connecticut. The comments came shortly after federal prosecutors announced charges against Raúl Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the island's socialist government. READ MORE: What to know about Brothers to the Rescue, Cuban exiles' group at the heart of Raúl Castro's indictment The indictment was related to Castro's alleged role in the shootdown of two small planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, now 94, was Cuba's defense minister at the time. The charges included murder and destruction of an airplane. Trump said that the CIA has a presence in Cuba and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been involved in discussions with the island's leadership. But Trump added of applying more economic pressure to Cuba, "There won't be escalation. I don't think there needs to be." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now