It’s “highly unlikely” former Cuban leader Raul Castro will be brought to the U.S. to be prosecuted for a 30-year-old murder, a Florida attorney said.
A murder warrant was issued Oct. 19 in Miami for former Cuban leader Raul Castro in connection with two humanitarian planes shot down 30 years ago.
The warrant, signed by Chief Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, charges Castro with one-count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Castro, then Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and First Vice President of Cuba, was a final decision-maker in the chain of command that authorized the shootdown, according to the affidavit.
Two planes, operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, were shot down
by the Cuban Air Force in international waters Feb. 25, 1996. Four people were killed.
Florida’s charge comes after the U.S. Justice Department charged Castro for the same crime May 20.
Will Raul Castro be brought to the U.S. on murder charges?
Grady Irvin, a Tampa-based attorney for more than 30 years on many high-profile criminal cases, said the arrest warrants means Castro has been “put on notice.” However, Grady told USA TODAY Network-Florida it “unlikely” an arrest and prosecution will take place.
“The United States and Cuba do have an extradition-type agreement with one another that’s 125-years old, but has not been enforced in more than half a century,” Irvin said. “it’s a wait-and-see game… will someone go into Cuba and nab him? That’s highly unlikely.”
The cost is something to consider when deciding the fate of the 95-year-old former Cuban leader.
“You have to ask yourself, is spending millions of dollars in prosecuting the 95-year old Castro as well as the millions that would have to be paid to his court-appointed attorneys worth it? Ask those Floridians who would have to foot that bill,” Irvin said.
Why are charges coming now, 30 years after the crime?
Irvin questioned if political motivation was behind the of the arrest warrant.
The announcement was made Oct. 19 at a news conference in Miami by State Attorney General James Uthmeier, who is up for re-election.
“In giving our state attorney general the benefit of the doubt, there certainly appears to be “probable cause,” which means the arrest warrant could have been issued when that determination was made months or years ago,” Irvin said. “You always want to bring an alleged murdered to justice, but an announcement on the first day of voting in which you are a candidate will certainly bring your motives into question.”
Early voting began in several Florida counties Oct. 19. The mandatory early voting period is Oct. 24 to Oct. 31.
A message was left for Uthmeier seeking comment.
“Mr. Castro might be 95, even in his most senile of moments I don’t think he’s looking for a senior facility in the Sunshine State,” Grady said.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Highly unlikely' Raul Castro tried in U.S. for murder, lawyer says
