Cuba’s Ex-President in US Dock: What Malta Needs to Know

Malta’s weather might be sunny, but the political climate just got a bit stormier. In a twist that’s got the world’s attention, the US has charged former Cuban president, Raúl Castro, with murder. Now, you might be wondering, what does this mean for Malta? Let’s dive in.

From Havana to Washington: The Charges

The US Department of Justice has accused Castro, who ruled Cuba from 2008 to 2018, of playing a role in the 1996 shooting down of two planes piloted by members of the Cuban-American exile group, Brothers to the Rescue. The incident, which happened over international waters, left four men dead. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder of US nationals outside the US and aircraft piracy.

Castro, 91, has denied any involvement in the incident. He’s not the only high-ranking Cuban official charged. The US has also indicted Gerardo Hernández, who was one of the ‘Cuban Five’ convicted in the US for espionage in 2001. Hernández was released in 2014 as part of a prisoner swap.

Malta’s Ties: A Brief History

Malta and Cuba have had diplomatic relations since 1977. While our ties aren’t as strong as, say, Malta’s relationship with the UK, they’re significant enough. Cuba has an embassy in Valletta, and Malta has an honorary consulate in Havana. Plus, Malta’s got a bit of a soft spot for Cuba – think of the annual Havana Malta Rum Festival at the historic Fort St. Elmo.

So, when something like this happens, it’s natural to wonder how it might affect Malta. But let’s be clear, Malta’s not likely to be drawn into this US-Cuba spat. Our foreign policy is one of neutrality, after all. We’re not about to start toasting Castro or denouncing him.

What’s Next? A Wait and See Approach

Castro’s not likely to set foot in a US court anytime soon. Cuba’s not going to hand him over, and the US isn’t going to extradite him. So, this is more about sending a message than anything else. The US is saying, ‘We haven’t forgotten, and we’re not letting this go.’

As for Malta, we’ll likely continue to maintain our diplomatic relations with both countries. We’ll keep our head down, mind our own business, and continue to enjoy our rum. After all, as the Maltese saying goes, ‘Il-bniedem ma jkellu ħażin’ – every country has its own problems.

But hey, that’s just our two cents. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop us a comment below, or share your views on our social media pages.