Russian MFA Statement on the issuance of a US arrest warrant for Cuba’s historic leader Raul Castro

Russian MFA Statement on the issuance of a US arrest warrant for Cuba’s historic leader Raul Castro (October 20, 2026)*

We categorically reject and strongly condemn the issuance by a judge in Miami, United States, of an arrest warrant for Cuba’s historic leader, Army General Raul Castro.

The political and legal assessments of the events of February 1996, for which the Americans hold Raul Castro personally responsible, are set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1067 (1996), adopted on July 26 of that year.

The resolution contains no calls for measures to hold any individual personally accountable. This effectively means that the Council, including the US, agreed that this aspect of the incident was closed.

☝️ Bringing baseless, contrived charges more than 30 years later can only be seen as an act of revenge by Miami’s anti-Cuban lobby – an attempt to settle scores with Raul Castro, who celebrated his 95th birthday in June.

We wish to emphasise that further escalating tensions around the Island of Freedom, which is already enduring extremely difficult times amid an unprecedented trade, economic, financial and energy blockade, could destabilise the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. A social upheaval in Cuba could well trigger a mass exodus of Cuban citizens to neighbouring countries, potentially plunging them into a social crisis.

This court ruling might have been regarded merely as an expression of the sentiments of a particular group of individuals, were it not for the events in Venezuela earlier this year, when its Leader was abducted in violation of all norms and principles of international law.

🤝 For our part, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Government of fraternal Cuba, with which we will continue to strengthen our close ties of friendship, mutual support, assistance and comprehensive cooperation.

We are confident that the indomitable Cuban people and their Leaders will respond with dignity to this latest attack by foreign ill-wishers.

We wish Russia’s friend, Comrade Raul Castro, sound health and continued courage, bravery and strength of spirit – qualities that have always distinguished him.