Survivor Recalls Cuban Air Force Shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue Planes

Sylvia G. Iriondo remembers the 1996 attack that killed 4 volunteers searching for Cuban refugees

Feb. 26, 2026 at 7:39pm

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Sylvia G. Iriondo, a survivor of the 1996 Cuban Air Force shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft, stood before reporters on Thursday in Hialeah Gardens, Florida to recount the tragic incident that killed four volunteers searching for Cuban refugees in the Straits of Florida. Iriondo was one of eight volunteers aboard the 'three small defenseless, unarmed little' Cessna planes when they were attacked by Cuban MiG-29 fighter jets, resulting in the deaths of Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre.

Why it matters

The shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes was a major incident in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Cuba, with the victims being U.S. citizens and residents engaged in humanitarian search and rescue missions. Iriondo's account highlights the human toll of the event and the continued calls for justice and accountability from the victims' families and the Cuban-American community.

The details

According to Iriondo, the eight volunteers departed the Opa Locka Executive Airport in Florida on February 24, 1996 on a mission 'en route to the Straits of Florida, to international airspace' to search for Cuban refugees attempting to flee the communist island. The two Cessna 337 Skymasters they were flying in were 'small defenseless, unarmed little' aircraft. Air-to-air missiles fired from Cuban MiG-29 fighter jets destroyed the planes, killing Costa, Morales, De La Peña, and Alejandre. The wreckage sank into the sea.

  • The volunteers departed Opa Locka Executive Airport around 3:20 p.m. on February 24, 1996.
  • The shootdown occurred on February 24, 1996.
  • The 30th anniversary of the shootdown is on Tuesday.

The players

Sylvia G. Iriondo

A survivor of the Cuban Air Force shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft and a real estate agent known in South Florida for her community service and activism.

Carlos Costa

One of the four Brothers to the Rescue volunteers killed in the shootdown.

Pablo Morales

One of the four Brothers to the Rescue volunteers killed in the shootdown.

Mario De La Peña

One of the four Brothers to the Rescue volunteers killed in the shootdown.

Armando Alejandre

One of the four Brothers to the Rescue volunteers killed in the shootdown.

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What they’re saying

“The most noble work of humanity is that of saving lives ... Carlos, Armando, Mario, and Pablo could have been that Saturday anywhere, on the beach, you know, having fun. But no, they were on a humanitarian mission to save lives.”

— Sylvia G. Iriondo (local10.com)

“There were two that ordered the shootdown: Fidel Castro and Raúl Castro. Fidel Castro passed away, and nothing was done ... but now we have an opportunity ... justice needs to be done for the families, for the community, and for humankind.”

— Sylvia G. Iriondo (local10.com)

“There were a lot of statements made. President Clinton promised the families that justice would be done, and we are here today, and justice still hasn't been done. There can be no peace unless there is justice.”

— Sylvia G. Iriondo (local10.com)

What’s next

The 30th anniversary of the shootdown is on Tuesday, which Iriondo hopes will renew calls for justice and accountability from the Cuban government.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, as well as the human toll of political conflicts. The survivors and victims' families continue to seek justice and closure, underscoring the importance of humanitarian missions and the need for peaceful resolutions to international disputes.