Castro Indictment ‘Very Big Moment for’ Cuban Americans
President Donald Trump called the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro a “very big moment” for Cuban Americans, who he said “appreciate” the indictment.
Trump spoke to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews shortly after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment.
“I think the Cuban population in Miami, and certainly beyond Miami, the people who came there and were decimated, whose families were ruined, appreciate what the attorney general just did today,” Trump said.
“We have Cuba in mind, it’s very important. A lot of problems for many years and… I think it was a very big moment for… not only Cuban Americans but also people who come from Cuba and want to return to Cuba, people who want to see their family in Cuba,” he added.
Trump stressed that “this is a very big day, a very important day” before highlighting the support he has received from Cuban Americans.
“They’ve supported me to the nth degree. They’ve supported me to levels that no one has ever seen before, and so I think it’s a very important moment,” he added.
When asked whether an escalation with Cuba should be expected, Trump replied “no.”
“There will be no escalation. I don’t think it’s necessary. Look, the place is falling apart. It’s a disaster, and they’ve kind of lost control. They’ve really lost control of Cuba,” he added.
Trump emphasized “we’ll see” when asked what’s next for Cuba.
“It’s a bankrupt nation. You see it’s collapsing. They don’t have oil… It’s a bankrupt nation. So I can’t tell you. But we’re here to help. We’re here to help the families, the people,” he said.
Castro and others are charged for their alleged involvement in the shooting down of two unarmed U.S. civilian planes on February 24, 1996. The Brothers to the Rescue were piloting the planes.
“The superseding indictment charges charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. persons, two counts of destroying aircraft, and four counts of murder,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
