U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis announced on May 19 that they will host a joint press conference to advocate for the indictment of Raúl Castro over his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft.
The event is scheduled for May 20 at Studio A – HVC 117 in the U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C., coinciding with Cuba’s Independence Day. The representatives say this timing underscores their message that “the moment for a free Cuba is now,” reflecting ongoing concerns within Cuban exile communities and among supporters of Cuban democracy.
Earlier this year, Díaz-Balart, Salazar, Giménez, and Malliotakis sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting that his administration consider indicting Raúl Castro for his role in the incident that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including American citizens. The press conference aims to highlight what they describe as an ongoing national security threat posed by the Castro regime.
The participating members include Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and Chairman of the National Security Subcommittee; Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chairman of Homeland Security’s Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee; and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Member of Ways and Means Committee.
Mario Díaz-Balart has served in Congress representing Florida’s 26th District since 2003 after prior service in both chambers of Florida’s legislature; he was born in Fort Lauderdale in 1961 and lives in Miami. He holds a BA from University of South Florida according to the office of Mario Díaz-Balart.
Attendance at this press conference is limited to credentialed members of the press galleries and staff from participating offices.
