The Trump administration is preparing to seek a federal indictment of Raúl Castro, the former president of Cuba, according to sources with knowledge of the Justice Department's plans. The move would mark a dramatic legal escalation against a former head of state and signals intensified U.S. pressure on the Cuban government. Castro, 94, led Cuba from 2008 to 2018, succeeding his brother Fidel.

The anticipated indictment is part of a broader strategy by the administration to increase pressure on Havana, which has faced renewed sanctions and diplomatic scrutiny under U.S. policy. While specific charges have not been publicly detailed, such indictments of foreign officials have historically involved allegations related to drug trafficking, terrorism support, or other serious crimes.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba for direct meetings with regime officials, according to reporting by Breitbart, a visit that underscores the high-level and multifaceted nature of the U.S. engagement with the island nation. The combination of legal action and direct diplomacy suggests a two-track approach from Washington.

The expected indictment, if filed, would be a rare and symbolically significant action against a former head of state from a neighboring country. Cuba has long been subject to a U.S. embargo, and relations between the two countries have fluctuated significantly over the decades, including a brief period of rapprochement under the Obama administration that was later reversed.

Cuban officials have not yet publicly responded to the indictment reports. The Justice Department has also not confirmed the plans, which were described by sources to multiple news organizations. The development is being closely watched by U.S. allies and adversaries in Latin America.