Supreme Court to Hear US Compensation Claims for Cuban Confiscated Property

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two significant cases involving Exxon and major cruise lines concerning compensation claims for property confiscated by Cuba's Castro regime, potentially easing the way for U.S. companies to seek damages. These cases relate to the Helms-Burton Act, which enables U.S. nationals to file lawsuits against entities "trafficking" in confiscated Cuban property, a provision that had been suspended by presidents until President Trump allowed such lawsuits during his first term. Exxon is suing Cuban state-owned enterprises over the seizure of an oil refinery and service stations, while another case involves Havana Docks Corporation seeking to reinstate a $440 million award against cruise lines that used its seized docks without authorization. The Trump administration supports the Supreme Court taking up these cases to advance its policy against the Cuban government, emphasizing the importance of these lawsuits for U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba. The court's decisions, expected by next summer, could have broad implications for the nearly $2 billion in claims certified by a U.S. commission for confiscated Cuban properties. These cases represent the most significant judicial review of U.S.-Cuba relations in decades, reflecting ongoing tensions stemming from Cold War-era confiscations.