Virtual vigil for Brothers to the Rescue shoot down victims to demand justice and truth 25 years after their extrajudicial killings

Long live Armando, Carlos, Mario and Pablo!

Every year since the week following the 1996 shoot-down, FCF members have joined together to hold a silent vigil at Florida International University on February 24th between 3:21pm and 3:27pm at the times both planes were blown up by Castro's MiGs in remembrance of Armando, Carlos, Mario, and Pablo who gave their lives in service to others in a continuing demand for justice. 

This tradition has been maintained for the past 24 years and this year on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 3:21pm we will gather with the families of the four martyrs to mark 25 years, but due to COVID-19 participation will be limited. Florida International University is limiting access to campus. To take part you must register with them in advance.

What:   Vigil for BTTR shoot down victims 

When:  Gather @ 3pm Vigil starts 3:21pm on Wednesday, February 24

Where: Main Fountain

             Florida International University 

             11200 South West 8th Street Miami, FL

Considering these limitations due to the pandemic, and the importance of marking 25 years since this act of state terrorism committed by the Castro brothers that murdered three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident, all of Cuban descent, and still calls for justice. A virtual vigil is being called for on all social media platforms on February 24th from 3:21pm to 3:27pm. Please take a picture of yourself joining in the vigil, and post it with the hashtags #VirtualVigil, #TruthJusticeMemory #WeAreConnected #JusticeForArmandoCarlosMarioAndPablo and #PatriaYVida.

In the four days leading up to the activity we are asking people of good will to join us in sharing the official report, images, and video interviews about what happened, and raising awareness around the world with the facts in evidence. 

Please share the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights September 29, 1999 report Nº 86/99 CASE 11.589ARMANDO ALEJANDRE JR., CARLOS COSTA,MARIO DE LA PEÑA, AND PABLO MORALES vs CUBA. 

The report details how twenty five years ago on February 24, 1996 at 3:21pm and at 3:27pm two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down by Cuban MiGs that launched air to air missiles in international airspace extra-judicially executing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr in an act of state terrorism. 

Video playlist below offers information on the Brothers to the Rescue shoot down, and the aftermath.

A Call to Take Actions for Orlando Zapata & Brothers to the Rescue Martyrs

Two important dates are approaching: Wednesday, February 23 and Thursday, February 24

Fifteen years ago on February 24, 1996 at 3:21pm and at 3:28pm two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down with air to air missiles in international airspace extra-judicially executing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr in an act of state terrorism.



One year ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo died (or was extra-judicially executed) after 83 days on a water-only hunger strike.  During the strike prison officials denied him water contributing to his death which constitute both torture and murder.





The Free Cuba Foundation on January 22, 2011 called on people of good will to join us in fasting and prayer for Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. on February 23 and to then organize vigils and moments of silence between the times when both Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down at  3:21pm and 3:28pm on February 24.



Now we are announcing activities taking place in Miami, Florida and invite you to send us news about actions that you are carrying out around the world. Please come back to this page. We will be adding photos and images that you can use for your own event(s).

February 23

3:00pm 24 Hour Fast for Orlando Zapata Tamayo
Location: Francisco Human Rights Park
                 9445 SW 24 Street (Brothers to the Rescue Martyrs Blvd), Miami, FL



Raúl Arencibia Fajardo ex-preso de conciencia anuncia un ayuno de 24 horas para recordar a Orlando Zapata Tamayo este 23 de febrero comenzando a las 3:00 de la tarde.



Free Cuba Foundation coordinator Neri Martinez announces a worldwide 24 hour vigil for Orlando Zapata Tamayo on February 23, 2011. Orlando Zapata Tamayo died one year ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm after 83 days on hunger strike during which prison officials denied him water and contributed to his death.

February 24

3:00pm Silent Vigil for Justice
Location: Main Fountain Florida International University
11200 South West 8th Street, Miami, FL





Vigil will be co-hosted by Students for a Free Tibet and the Free Cuba Foundation at the main fountain at Florida International University between 3:21pm and 3:28pm the times that two Brothers to the Rescue planes were destroyed by air-to-air missiles fired by Cuban MiGs as they flew through international airspace searching for rafters. Family members and friends of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. will be in attendance. This event is for FIU students and members of the FIU Community and has been held annually since 1996.

5:30pm Vigil for Truth and Justice
Location: Brothers to the Rescue Monument in front of Hialeah Gardens City Hall, 10001 NW 87 Avenue, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33016.



VIGIL FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE

Mayor Yioset De La Cruz will welcome the Miami community to remember what happened fifteen years ago when Cuban MiGs shot down two Brothers to the Rescue planes on a humanitarian mission over the Florida Straits. Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales were murdered in cold blood.

Members of Brothers to the Rescue, as well as other invited guests, will address the crowd with their thoughts on the quest for truth and justice. We must never forget what happened fifteen years ago, and we can never rest until truth and justice have been met. Please join us.

7:00 pm Mass for Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña & Pablo Morales 
           St. Agatha Catholic Church, 1111 SW 107 Ave.

MEMORIAL MASS
Memorial Mass organized by the families of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña and Pablo Morales.