The Donald Trump administration is raising the pressure on Cuba by indicting former President Raúl Castro, widely seen as the country's "power behind the scenes."
On the 20th (local time), after delivering a commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut and on the way back to the White House, President Trump told reporters that the indictment of former President Castro "will be one of the most important things for many Cubans," adding, "We are liberating Cuba."
According to Reuters that day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had indicted former President Castro, who is 95 this year. The indictment is connected to the 1996 incident in which two aircraft operated by the Miami-based Cuban exile group "Brothers to the Rescue" were shot down by the Cuban military, killing four people on board. It is rare for the U.S. government to indict a foreign head-of-state-level leader.
As the United States effectively enforces an embargo against countries supplying fuel to Cuba, putting all-around pressure on the Cuban economy, indicting former President Castro is seen as a move to further ratchet up pressure on the Cuban government.
Asked about the possibility of heightened military tensions with Cuba, President Trump said, "There will be no escalation. There's no need," adding, "That place is collapsing. They (the Cuban regime) have lost control."
To the question, "How much longer will the Cuba-related embargo last?" he said, "We'll see," adding, "We will be announcing it soon."