Exiled activists say U.S. legal options could target Raúl Castro; Martí reports on arrested pilot
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Marcel Felipe, director of Inspire América and president of the Museo de la Diáspora, told Radio y Televisión Martí that U.S. prosecutors have at least two possible legal bases to pursue charges against Raúl Castro: narcotrafficking and the 1996 shootdown of exile aircraft. "El encauzamiento de Raúl Castro hay 2 bases para encausarlo. 1 por el narcotráfico... y lo otro por lo de el río de las avionetas," Marcel said, characterizing the legal avenues activists have discussed publicly.
Felipe described investigative steps taken by U.S.-based lawyers and activists, noting that recent arrests and prosecutions connected to participants in the 1996 incident have renewed attention to jurisdictional options. The guest cited an arrested pilot and said that his case was pursued by federal immigration and criminal authorities; the broadcast named a person later identified by host reporting as Luis Raúl González Pardo Rodríguez and said he is about 65 years old and entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole.
Host Mario Pentón said Martí had verified the pilot's address in Jacksonville and reported that Pardo applied for permanent residence under the Ley de Ajuste Cubano (Cuban Adjustment Act) before his arrest. Pentón said Pardo could face up to 15 years in U.S. federal prison for lying to immigration authorities and suggested Pardo might become a witness in broader cases. The program did not cite indictments against Raúl Castro; guests described possibilities and investigative developments rather than announced prosecutions.
Marcel Felipe also urged continued pressure via sanctions and asset freezes, saying the United States has tools to target bank accounts and state-linked businesses. He argued those financial levers, together with visa restrictions, could be applied to cut off the economic resources of officials and families who profit from the regime.
No U.S. government official or representative of the Cuban government spoke during the broadcast; claims about legal strategy and investigatory prospects were made by exile leaders and the program host.
Felipe described investigative steps taken by U.S.-based lawyers and activists, noting that recent arrests and prosecutions connected to participants in the 1996 incident have renewed attention to jurisdictional options. The guest cited an arrested pilot and said that his case was pursued by federal immigration and criminal authorities; the broadcast named a person later identified by host reporting as Luis Raúl González Pardo Rodríguez and said he is about 65 years old and entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole.
Host Mario Pentón said Martí had verified the pilot's address in Jacksonville and reported that Pardo applied for permanent residence under the Ley de Ajuste Cubano (Cuban Adjustment Act) before his arrest. Pentón said Pardo could face up to 15 years in U.S. federal prison for lying to immigration authorities and suggested Pardo might become a witness in broader cases. The program did not cite indictments against Raúl Castro; guests described possibilities and investigative developments rather than announced prosecutions.
Marcel Felipe also urged continued pressure via sanctions and asset freezes, saying the United States has tools to target bank accounts and state-linked businesses. He argued those financial levers, together with visa restrictions, could be applied to cut off the economic resources of officials and families who profit from the regime.
No U.S. government official or representative of the Cuban government spoke during the broadcast; claims about legal strategy and investigatory prospects were made by exile leaders and the program host.
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