Díaz-Balart: Raúl Castro’s Indictment Marks the Beginning of that Long-Denied Path Toward Justice

May 20, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, issued the following statement following the announcement of the indictment of Raúl Castro: “For far too long, previous administrations turned a blind eye to justice for the three American citizens and one lawful permanent resident who were brutally and unjustifiably murdered under the direct orders of Raúl Castro. Those four innocent men, flying defenseless in their Cessnas, never stood a chance when Castro ordered MiG fighter jets to ambush and kill them without warning. This was a deliberate act of murder, and Raúl Castro must finally be held accountable for this crime. Today marks the beginning of that long‑denied path toward justice, made possible by the decisive actions of President Trump and the resolve of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quińones.” ### Issues : Cuba Foreign Affairs Defense/National Security