Scoop: Cuba hardliners ask Trump's DOJ to indict Raul Castro

A coalition of Cuba hardliners is calling on the Trump administration to take unprecedented legal action against former Cuban leader Raul Castro, urging the Department of Justice to indict him on charges including human rights violations and alleged support for international terrorism.

The push comes as tensions between the United States and Cuba remain strained, with hardliners arguing that Castro's leadership of the island nation for over a decade warrants criminal prosecution under U.S. law. The group contends that Castro's role in suppressing political dissent, overseeing a repressive security apparatus, and allegedly supporting militant groups abroad constitutes grounds for indictment.

Legal experts note that such an indictment would be highly unusual, as it would target a former head of state for actions taken while in office. The move would likely escalate diplomatic tensions and could complicate any potential future negotiations between the two countries.

This development follows years of hardline opposition to any normalization of relations with Cuba, particularly among conservative lawmakers and exile communities. The group's request highlights the ongoing divide in U.S. policy toward Cuba, with some advocating for continued isolation and others pushing for engagement and economic ties.

The timing of this request is significant, coming as the Trump administration has taken a harder line on Cuba compared to the Obama era's efforts at rapprochement. The hardliners appear to be capitalizing on this policy shift to push for more aggressive measures against the Cuban government and its former leadership.

While the likelihood of such an indictment remains uncertain, the mere request underscores the deep-seated animosity that persists among certain factions regarding Cuba's communist regime and its historical relationship with the United States.