Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has brought new state charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro.

The charges are about the 1996 shooting down of civilian planes.

The planes were flown by exiles from Miami.

Uthmeier said Castro, 95, told spies to join the exile group Brothers to the Rescue.

He also said Castro ordered the attack on its planes.

The state charge is conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

It is based mostly on a federal indictment announced in May.

It is not clear if Castro will ever appear in a U.S. courtroom.

Uthmeier said the arrest warrant would limit Castro's ability to leave Cuba.

It would also block travel to any country with an extradition agreement with the U.S.

He said Castro is an older man.

He is probably not looking to come to Miami.

Uthmeier said he is ready to prosecute the case.

According to the state complaint, Castro gave final approval to shoot down the planes.

At that time, he was armed forces minister and first vice president.

Investigators said Cuban intelligence agents in the Wasp Network joined the exile group.

They reported flight plans.

On Feb. 24, 1996, three unarmed Cessna aircraft left Opa-Locka Airport.

Outside Cuban waters, Cuban MiGs destroyed two of the planes with air-to-air missiles.

Four people died.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the earlier federal indictment a political stunt.

He said it was meant to justify military aggression against Cuba.

U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said the federal indictment prepared the way for the new state charges.

Castro led Cuba from 2006 until 2018.

Then he handed power to Díaz-Canel.

He retired as head of the Communist Party in 2021.

But many people believe he still holds influence behind the scenes.