“On February 24, 1996, further worsening relations, the Cuban military shot down two U.S. registered civil aircraft in international airspace, killing three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident. The unlawful and unwarranted attack on two unarmed U.S. civilian aircrafts resulted in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Alberto Costa, Mario M. de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. Immediately after this brutal act, and in response to this violation of international aviation law, Congress and President [William Bill] Clinton passed the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, also known as the Libertad Act.” [Pro Embargo]
“U.S.-Cuba Relations,” Department of State website, 2001-2009.state.gov, November 15, 1999