MIAMI (AP): Federal prosecutors yesterday announced charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro  in the 1996 downing of civilian planes operated by Miami-based exiles, as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the socialist government.

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 defence minister at the time. The charges included murder and destruction of an airplane.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other top Justice Department officials made the announcement in Miami at a ceremony to honour those killed in the shootdown.