Miami Prosecutor Opens Hunt for Cases Against Cuban Leaders
U.S. attorney Jason Reding Quiñones formed a multi‑agency working group—including DEA and OFAC—to build criminal cases against Cuban government and Communist Party figures as President Trump floated a 'friendly takeover'.
CBS NewsU.S. attorney in Miami targeting Cuban Communist leaders with new initiative, sources say
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Associated PressJustice Department official eyes cases against Cuba leaders as Trump floats 'friendly takeover'
Overview
Jason Reding Quiñones created a multi‑agency working group to build criminal cases against people connected to the Cuban government and Communist Party, people familiar with the matter said.
The effort follows President Donald Trump saying his administration has discussed a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba and that 'Cuba is gonna fall pretty soon'.
Lawmakers including Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez wrote on Feb. 13 urging the Justice Department to consider indicting former President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown, the lawmakers said.
Sources said the group includes federal prosecutors, the DEA and OFAC and plans to pursue economic crimes, drugs, violent crimes and immigration cases.
A Justice Department spokesman said federal prosecutors 'work every day to pursue justice,' and a person familiar with the matter said officials are consulting the State Department about sanctions and next steps.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an administration moving toward punitive pressure on Cuba, highlighting Trump’s collapse rhetoric, Rubio’s hawkish influence, and Justice Department probes as policy levers. Editorial choices — emphasized presidential quotes, prioritized U.S. officials, and limited Cuban public voices — push a regime-change interpretation.
FAQ
Jason Reding Quiñones is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, sworn in recently, with a background as a state court judge in Miami-Dade County handling civil and criminal domestic violence cases, a national security official in the DOJ's National Security Division, and a federal prosecutor.
The working group includes federal prosecutors, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), and OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control).
The group plans to pursue cases involving economic crimes, drugs, violent crimes, and immigration-related offenses against Cuban government and Communist Party figures.
President Trump stated that his administration has discussed a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba and predicted that 'Cuba is gonna fall pretty soon,' prompting the formation of this working group.
Lawmakers urged the Justice Department on Feb. 13 to consider indicting former President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft.