Raúl Castro

Force in Play

Made rare public appearance at ceremony for fallen soldiers

The United States has imposed economic pressure on Cuba for 64 years. Now, for the first time, Washington is threatening to punish any country that sells oil to the island. President Trump's January 29 executive order creates a tariff mechanism targeting third countries that supply Cuban fuel—a significant escalation that goes beyond traditional bilateral sanctions to coerce allies and trading partners into joining an energy blockade. The strategy has proven devastatingly effective: Cuba's national power grid collapsed entirely on March 17, 2026, leaving approximately 10 million people without electricity and triggering street protests across the island, the most visible civil unrest in years. Partial restoration occurred on March 18 after 29 hours, but the blackout deepened shortages of food, medicine, and water, including the vandalization of a Cuban Communist Party provincial office in Morón. On March 21, Cuba blocked a US Embassy request to import diesel for generators, escalating diplomatic tensions amid ongoing rolling blackouts.

Updated 4 days ago

Rule Changes

Charged in Florida with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder; under federal indictment; remains in Cuba

Florida issued a state arrest warrant for former Cuban President Raúl Castro on October 19, charging him with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes flown by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. A Miami judge set no bond.

Updated Oct 25

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Indicted by a US federal grand jury on May 20, 2026 for the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown; aged 94, living in Cuba beyond US extradition reach

The USS Nimitz carrier strike group entered the Caribbean on May 21. The Pentagon was developing military options for Trump while the US intelligence community mapped how Cuba would respond to an attack. One day after issuing a $100 million aid offer and indicting Raúl Castro, Secretary of State Rubio said a negotiated settlement was unlikely.

Updated May 30