The Justice Department is expected to announce criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro related to Cuba's 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, according to U.S. officials.

The incident occurred in 1996 when Cuban military jets shot down two planes, killing four Cuban Americans. At the time of the incident, Castro served as Cuba's defense minister under his brother Fidel Castro, making him the nation's second-highest authority.

U.S. officials told CBS News that the indictment is expected to be announced in Miami, though specific timing has not been confirmed by the Justice Department. The charges stem from Castro's role in the military operation that resulted in the deaths of the four individuals aboard the aircraft.

The announcement comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a video message in Spanish directed at the Cuban people on Cuba's Independence Day. In the message, Rubio attributed what he described as difficult conditions in Cuba to the country's communist leadership.

Brothers to the Rescue was a Miami-based organization that conducted search and rescue operations for Cuban refugees attempting to reach the United States by sea. The group's aircraft were operating in international airspace when they were shot down by Cuban MiG fighters in February 1996.

Castro, now 93, led Cuba from 2008 to 2018 after taking over from his brother Fidel. The expected charges would mark a significant legal action by the U.S. government against a former Cuban leader.