The state's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, confirmed that his office has opened a formal investigation into former Cuban president and historical leader of the Revolution, Raúl Castro, for the downing of the 'Brothers to the Rescue' planes, in which three American pilots and one person with permanent residency died in 1996. Since then, the U.S. government has promised to deliver justice for this event, which in Cuba is considered just another case of its defense and national sovereignty. The government is seeking to ensure that the collection promoted by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to help the Cuban people does not generate a diplomatic conflict with the Donald Trump administration. The problem, diplomatic sources acknowledge, is that the Cuban government led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel is considered a 'terrorist promoter' by the Republican administration. Furthermore, diplomatic sources believe this investigation could be part of a larger case that could lead to 'terrorism' charges against the former Cuban president. At the National Palace, they are working to prevent the humanitarian aid promoted by the former president from Palenque from falling into a legal framework that would cause problems with the White House amid bilateral tension. According to their explanation, the funds collected in the Banorte account of the 'Humanity with Latin America' civil association will be sent first to the Vatican for Caritas to administer and transfer, in agreement with U.S. authorities, to the island to provide aid amid the economic and energy crisis the Caribbean nation is facing. This way, the money would reach Havana without causing clashes with Donald Trump. The aid announced by the former president arrives at a time of maximum tension for Cuba. This week, for example, he affirmed he would have the 'honor of taking Cuba.' Brugada backed AMLO's announcement and will donate to help Cuba. Additionally, the Florida state government is seizing this moment to advance once again judicially against the Cuban government. For this, official sources confirmed, the funds collected in the bank account of the 'Humanity with Latin America' civil association will be sent to the Vatican, so that Caritas can 'triangulate' them to Havana through an existing agreement with Washington. In this manner, the Claudia Sheinbaum government seeks to avoid a diplomatic conflict with the White House. This means that any individuals, organizations, and/or countries that provide economic aid could be considered financiers of terrorist actions, a crime that could generate problems with the Department of Justice. Díaz-Canel thanked AMLO for the former president's solidarity with Cuba: 'We will never forget your support.' In response, the National Palace is working on an economic triangulation to avoid these types of problems. Moreover, Donald Trump is undertaking an increasingly strong crusade to topple his government. The island is experiencing its most critical moment since the Special Period of the late 20th century, due to the fall of the Nicolás Maduro government in Venezuela and the economic suffocation it suffers from the economic blockade that Washington has maintained against it for nearly 70 years. During the Joe Biden administration, the investigations did not advance, but with Donald Trump's return to power, Florida's justice system has resumed its efforts, taking advantage of the change of era and the interference rhetoric promoted by the Republican. To this end, they anticipate that the economic aid already provided by various figures of the 4T, such as President Claudia Sheinbaum herself, the Head of Government of CDMX, Clara Brugada, or the Governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, will be sent to the Vatican for it to take and re-transfer via Caritas, which has been carrying out these types of maneuvers for years. This way, the government headed by Claudia Sheinbaum would maintain a delicate balance between the historic aid it has provided to Cuba since the early moments of the 1959 Revolution and bilateral relations with the United States. These are two primary objectives for the 4T, which promotes the end of the blockade that Washington imposes on Havana and, at the same time, a good and fluid relationship with its main trading partner and President Donald Trump.
