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The Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz dedicated a message of support and congratulations to Raúl Castro, who has been criminally accused by the United States for the downing of two small planes from Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, with a phrase that encapsulates the regime's stance in the face of international pressure: "Congratulations on your upcoming birthday and wishing you a long life, because we need you."
Marrero delivered his remarks from a public stage during the support events organized by the regime on Thursday at workplaces across the country, transformed into platforms of support for the former leader following the federal charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice the previous Wednesday.
"We must send our support to Raúl from this platform," said the prime minister, concluding with the rallying cry: "Raúl, we are with you!"
In parallel, Marrero posted a series of messages on his X account under the hashtag #95DeRaúl, referring to the upcoming 95th birthday of Castro, which will be celebrated on June 3, 2026.
"¡The people of Cuba are with Raúl! And this support is not formal; it comes from deep feelings of love, respect, and admiration. Our people, who have given birth to extraordinary children, know where the truth lies. The integrity of the Army General is unquestionable," wrote Marrero on the social network.
In another post, the prime minister resorted to rhetorical irony to defend the former leader: “Raúl can be accused, yes, of being dignified, modest like his name, steadfast, humane, a family man, and a revolutionary, a fidelist, the greatest of all. Raúl can be accused, yes, of being an example.”
The statements come two days after the United States Department of Justice filed federal criminal charges against Castro for his involvement in the downing of civil aircraft on February 24, 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four American citizens: Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
The charges include conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four individual counts of homicide, and were voted on by a federal grand jury in Miami on April 23, 2026, although they were declassified on Wednesday in coincidence with Cuba's Independence Day.
The centerpiece of the accusation is an audio recording from June 1996 in which Castro orders: "Throw them in the sea when they appear," and the case is supported by more than 10,000 pages of declassified FBI documents regarding the so-called "Operation Venice."
On the day of the announcement, Marrero had already described the accusation as a "farce fabricated by Washington" and defended the downing as "legitimate defense," while Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed it as a "political action, without any legal basis."
The accusation has primarily symbolic significance: Castro, at 94 years old, has never set foot on American soil, and there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.
The acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was emphatic in announcing the charges from the Freedom Tower in Miami: "For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice. If you kill Americans, we will pursue you."
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