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Raul Castro, the younger brother of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department today in Miami.

The 96-year-old is still a major power behind the scenes in Cuba.

He's held many senior positions in Cuba's government since the 1959 revolution, including the presidency.

He and four other regime officials were charged in the 1996 killings of Americans seeking

to aid Cubans at sea.

Ali Rogan starts our coverage.

Today in Miami, a cheer that is also a hope.

Today is going to start that Cuba is going to be free. After the oldest,

most powerful surviving member of one of Cuba's most infamous families is indicted. The Justice Department

today charged Raul Castro with murder and conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, acting Attorney General

Todd Blanche. If you kill Americans and we will pursue you, no matter who you are, no matter what title

you hold, and in this case, no matter how much time has passed.

The charges against Castro stem from his alleged role in the shootdown of planes carrying

three Americans and a Cuban exile in 1996.

Operated by Miami-based humanitarian organization,

Brothers to the Rescue, the planes were on the lookout to spot and save

Cubans fleeing their homes in makeshift boats and rafts.

The organization was long a thorn in the side of the Cuban government, as founder

Jose Basuto once told the news hour. Fly our mission always beginning 12 miles north of the

shores of the island, which is the waters that are considered international waters.

Besides, if we find them any closer, I'm sure Castro will get them before we do.

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