U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Seizing Cuban Assets Over 60-Year-Old Claims

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that could let American claimants seize Cuban government assets—including a Havana dockside terminal—as compensation for property confiscated decades ago. The lawsuits are enabled by a 1996 U.S. law. It allows U.S. nationals to sue countries listed as "state sponsors of terrorism" in American courts. Cuba was added to that list in 2021. The current case centers on the Havana Docks Corporation. This U.S. company claims Cuba unlawfully seized its waterfront property in 1960. A lower court ruled Havana Docks could seek payment from revenues of the current Cuban operator of the port. The Biden administration, continuing a Trump-era position, supports the claimants. It argues the law’s purpose is to provide compensation and pressure designated states. Cuba and the port’s current operator, a Cuban state-owned company, argue the law does not apply to assets used for commercial purposes. They warn that a ruling against them could harm international relations and foreign investment in the U.S. The Supreme Court’s decision, expected by next summer, will clarify the reach of the anti-terrorism law. It will determine if billions of dollars in other claims against Cuba can proceed.