fatvegan

In February 1996, the Cuban airforce shot down two civilian planes that had entered Cuban airspace and apparently dropping anti-Cuban leaflets on Cuba. The US condemned this and responded by stepping up the embargo, "measures designed against the Cuban government, and not in any way to punish the Cuban people who are desirous of some freedom." Cuba claims that in the past "civilian" planes have entered Cuban airspace to drop weapons and explosives to terrorists in Cuba. Around this time several Cuban public spaces were bombed. Cuba had previously warned other aircraft against entering their airspace and had informed the FAA so that they could advise aircraft against entering. Madeleine Albright uses the word "illegal" nine times in that interview.

The point is that this is illegal under international law, the Chicago Convention of 1944, that absolutely prevents the use of weapons against unarmed civilian planes. Madeleine Albright

I wonder if the US is more sympathetic to the Cuban situation these days. That convention seems a little ridiculous in hindsight.