<div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-0"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">The <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/raul-castro-cuba-doj-indictment.html" title="">indictment of Raúl Castro</a> is the latest step in the Trump administration’s escalating pressure campaign against Cuba — part of a broader effort by the president to topple the Cuban government.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">The Justice Department unsealed an indictment on Wednesday, charging Mr. Castro, the former president of Cuba, and five other people with murder and a conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Since retaking office, President Trump has made no secret of his desire to <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/us/politics/trump-greenland-panama-canal.html" title="">expand U.S. territory</a> and oust leaders he dislikes. After the successful military operation in Venezuela and the so far unsuccessful efforts to secure Greenland or the Panama Canal, Mr. Trump has made it clear that Cuba is his next target.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">For Mr. Trump, the interest in Cuba <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/world/americas/trump-cuba-intervention.html" title="">is not new</a>. In 2011 and 2012, Trump Organization executives visited Cuba to scout a golf course, and in 2016, while running for president, Mr. Trump said Cuba “would be a good opportunity for investment.”</p></div><aside aria-label="companion column" class="css-ew4tgv"></aside></div><div data-testid="Dropzone-1"></div><div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-1"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">And even as he has derided Cuba as a “failed nation” in recent months, he has continued to talk up its geographical advantages.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">“I think Cuba, in its own way, tourism and everything else, it’s a beautiful island, great weather,” Mr. Trump said in March.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">On Wednesday, after the charges against Mr. Castro were announced, Mr. Trump said he did not plan to escalate the situation with Cuba.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">“No, there won’t be escalation. I don’t think there needs to be,” Mr. Trump told reporters.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">“Look the place is falling apart, it’s a mess,” he continued, adding: “They’ve really lost control.”</p></div><aside aria-label="companion column" class="css-ew4tgv"></aside></div>