Families of Brothers to the Rescue Victims Still Seek Justice 30 Years Later

Four men were killed when Cuban military jets shot down their planes during a humanitarian mission in 1996.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 10:37pm

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Thirty years after the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, the families of the four victims are still seeking justice. The planes were shot down by Cuban military jets while on a mission to spot Cuban rafters fleeing the country and relay their coordinates to the U.S. Coast Guard. The families of Mario de la Peña, Carlos Costa, and Armando Alejandre say they have faced 30 years of pain and a constant search for accountability, with no one ever facing charges for the killings.

Why it matters

The 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes was a major international incident that strained relations between the U.S. and Cuba. The families of the victims have continued to push for justice, arguing that the Cuban government was directly responsible for the premeditated killings of American citizens. This case highlights the long-lasting impact of such tragedies on the loved ones left behind and the challenges of seeking accountability across borders, even decades later.

The details

On February 24, 1996, two civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue were shot down by Cuban military jets over the Florida Straits. The planes were on a mission to spot Cuban refugees fleeing the country in makeshift boats and relay their coordinates to the U.S. Coast Guard. Four men were killed in the attack: Mario de la Peña, Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, and a fourth victim. The families of the victims say the shootdown was a premeditated, cold-blooded murder and that the Cuban government has evaded justice for 30 years.

  • The shootdown occurred on February 24, 1996.
  • It has been 30 years since the incident.

The players

Miriam de la Peña

The mother of victim Mario de la Peña, who says the 30 years since the shootdown have been filled with a "constant search" for justice.

Mario de la Peña

One of the four men killed when the Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down. He was a volunteer pilot who had flown around 100 missions to help spot and rescue Cuban refugees.

Mirta Mendez

The sister of victim Carlos Costa, who was 29 years old when he was killed in the shootdown.

Carlos Costa

Mirta Mendez's younger brother, who was a pilot with Brothers to the Rescue and was killed in the 1996 shootdown.

Marlene Alejandre-Triana

The daughter of victim Armando Alejandre, who was not a pilot but was on only his second mission with Brothers to the Rescue when he was killed.

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What they’re saying

“It's been 30 years of a constant search — a painful search for justice.”

— Miriam de la Peña (nbcmiami.com)

“Time heals, but it doesn't let you forget. It just lets you accept.”

— Mirta Mendez (nbcmiami.com)

“For me, anyone who had any part in it should be held accountable. I don't care how old you are. Justice has to come before anything.”

— Marlene Alejandre-Triana (nbcmiami.com)

What’s next

There is renewed discussion about potentially indicting former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 incident, as prosecutors believe there is evidence tying him directly to the decision to shoot down the planes. However, the biggest challenge would be actually bringing Castro to the United States to face prosecution.

The takeaway

This case highlights the lasting impact of such tragedies on the loved ones left behind, and the challenges of seeking justice and accountability across borders, even decades later. The families of the Brothers to the Rescue victims continue to push for the perpetrators to be held responsible, arguing that their children deserve better than to have their killers evade justice for 30 years.