Justice Department Eyes Cases Against Cuban Leaders as Trump Floats "Friendly Takeover"

U.S. Attorney in Miami forms working group to investigate Cuban officials, as Trump renews calls for deal with communist island

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The top Justice Department prosecutor in Miami is considering criminal investigations of Cuban government officials, according to people familiar with the matter. The inquiry comes as President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of a 'friendly takeover' of the communist-run island. The U.S. Attorney's office has created a working group to try to build cases against people connected to the Cuban government and its Communist Party.

Why it matters

The effort is taking place against the backdrop of Trump's increasingly aggressive stance against Cuba's communist leadership, as the U.S. seeks to ramp up pressure on the island nation. While Cuba has faded from Washington's radar as a major national security threat in recent decades, it remains a priority in the U.S. Attorney's office in Miami, whose political, economic and cultural life is dominated by Cuban-American exiles.

The details

Jason Reding Quiñones, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, has created a 'working group' that includes federal prosecutors and officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies to try to build cases against people connected to the Cuban government and its Communist Party. It was not immediately clear which Cuban officials the office is targeting or what criminal charges prosecutors may be looking to bring.

  • In recent weeks, several Miami Republicans, in addition to Florida Sen. Rick Scott, have called on the Trump administration to reopen its criminal investigation into the 1996 shootdown of four planes operated by anti-communist exiles.
  • The Trump administration has also accused Cuba of not cooperating with American counterterrorism efforts, adding it alongside North Korea and Iran to a select few nations the U.S. considers state sponsors of terrorism.

The players

Jason Reding Quiñones

The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida who has created a working group to investigate Cuban government officials.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has raised the possibility of a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba.

Raúl Castro

The former head of Cuba's military who lawmakers believe gave the order to shoot down four planes operated by anti-communist exiles in 1996.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Raúl Castro to be extradited to the United States to face charges.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the continued tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up pressure on the communist-run island. The effort to build criminal cases against Cuban officials underscores the political and ideological divide that remains between the two countries.