Has the US set the stage for military intervention in Cuba?
5/22/202627 min
US Secretary of State Marco Rubia has said Cuba poses a "national security threat" to the US and the likelihood of a peaceful agreement is "not high". His comments come days after the US announced criminal charges against Cuba’s former president Raul Castro, the brother of Fidel Castro.
The charges relate to his alleged role in the shooting down of two planes in 1996, which killed four people, including three Americans. The Cuban government say the move is “a political manoeuvre, devoid of any legal foundation.”
The indictment has drawn comparisons to the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and whether the US has set the stage for military intervention.
Asma speaks to Cecilia Barria, a journalist based in Miami for BBC Mundo, and Will Grant, the BBC’s Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, about the story behind the charges — and why three decades on, the indictment is only happening now.
Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Aron Keller Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: Raul Castro attend the International Labor Day commemoration in Havana, Cuba, 01 May 2026. Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA/Shutterstock
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 0· Soundbite0:00
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Speaker 10:03
Today on the pod, we're talking to Megan, trapeze artist and scratchers enthusiast. So Megan, what do you like about playing scratchers?
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:13
Well, they're easy to play when I'm hanging around.
Speaker 10:16
Oh, okay, like when you're relaxing?
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:17
No, [laughs] like when I'm hanging on the trapeze. I swing upside down then do a quadruple summersault, all while playing scratchers. Watch this. Ta-da.
Speaker 10:27
Unbelievable.
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:29
I know, right?
Speaker 10:29
Scratchers from the California Lottery. A little play can make your day. Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase play or claim. Today on the pod, we're talking to Megan, trapeze artist and scratchers enthusiast. So Megan, what do you like about playing scratchers?
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:43
Well, they're easy to play when I'm hanging around.
Speaker 10:46
Oh, okay, like when you're relaxing?
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:47
No, [laughs] like when I'm hanging on the trapeze. I swing upside down then do a quadruple summersault, all while playing scratchers. Watch this. Ta-da.
Speaker 10:57
Unbelievable.
Cecilia Barria· Guest0:59
I know, right?
Speaker 11:00
Scratchers from the California Lottery. A little play can make your day. Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase play or claim.
Asma Khalid· Host1:06
In the winter of 1996, three small airplanes took off from Florida on route to Cuba, but they never made it.
Speaker 4· Soundbite1:15
Good evening. The Clinton administration is calling for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council after two civilian aircraft were shot down by Cuba yesterday.
Asma Khalid· Host1:26
Two of the planes were shot down by