CHAPTER 69A —CUBAN LIBERTY AND DEMOCRATIC SOLIDARITY (LIBERTAD)
SUBCHAPTER I—STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT
SUBCHAPTER II—ASSISTANCE TO FREE AND INDEPENDENT CUBA
SUBCHAPTER III—PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS OF UNITED STATES NATIONALS
SUBCHAPTER IV—EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN ALIENS
§6021. Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The economy of Cuba has experienced a decline of at least 60 percent in the last 5 years as a result of—
(A) the end of its subsidization by the former Soviet Union of between 5 billion and 6 billion dollars annually;
(B) 36 years of communist tyranny and economic mismanagement by the Castro government;
(C) the extreme decline in trade between Cuba and the countries of the former Soviet bloc; and
(D) the stated policy of the Russian Government and the countries of the former Soviet bloc to conduct economic relations with Cuba on strictly commercial terms.
(2) At the same time, the welfare and health of the Cuban people have substantially deteriorated as a result of this economic decline and the refusal of the Castro regime to permit free and fair democratic elections in Cuba.
(3) The Castro regime has made it abundantly clear that it will not engage in any substantive political reforms that would lead to democracy, a market economy, or an economic recovery.
(4) The repression of the Cuban people, including a ban on free and fair democratic elections, and continuing violations of fundamental human rights, have isolated the Cuban regime as the only completely nondemocratic government in the Western Hemisphere.
(5) As long as free elections are not held in Cuba, the economic condition of the country and the welfare of the Cuban people will not improve in any significant way.
(6) The totalitarian nature of the Castro regime has deprived the Cuban people of any peaceful means to improve their condition and has led thousands of Cuban citizens to risk or lose their lives in dangerous attempts to escape from Cuba to freedom.
(7) Radio Marti and Television Marti have both been effective vehicles for providing the people of Cuba with news and information and have helped to bolster the morale of the people of Cuba living under tyranny.
(8) The consistent policy of the United States towards Cuba since the beginning of the Castro regime, carried out by both Democratic and Republican administrations, has sought to keep faith with the people of Cuba, and has been effective in sanctioning the totalitarian Castro regime.
(9) The United States has shown a deep commitment, and considers it a moral obligation, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as expressed in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(10) The Congress has historically and consistently manifested its solidarity and the solidarity of the American people with the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people.
(11) The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 [
(12) Amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [
(13) The Cuban Government engages in the illegal international narcotics trade and harbors fugitives from justice in the United States.
(14) The Castro government threatens international peace and security by engaging in acts of armed subversion and terrorism such as the training and supplying of groups dedicated to international violence.
(15) The Castro government has utilized from its inception and continues to utilize torture in various forms (including by psychiatry), as well as execution, exile, confiscation, political imprisonment, and other forms of terror and repression, as means of retaining power.
(16) Fidel Castro has defined democratic pluralism as "pluralistic garbage" and continues to make clear that he has no intention of tolerating the democratization of Cuban society.
(17) The Castro government holds innocent Cubans hostage in Cuba by no fault of the hostages themselves solely because relatives have escaped the country.
(18) Although a signatory state to the 1928 Inter-American Convention on Asylum and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (which protects the right to leave one's own country), Cuba nevertheless surrounds embassies in its capital by armed forces to thwart the right of its citizens to seek asylum and systematically denies that right to the Cuban people, punishing them by imprisonment for seeking to leave the country and killing them for attempting to do so (as demonstrated in the case of the confirmed murder of over 40 men, women, and children who were seeking to leave Cuba on July 13, 1994).
(19) The Castro government continues to utilize blackmail, such as the immigration crisis with which it threatened the United States in the summer of 1994, and other unacceptable and illegal forms of conduct to influence the actions of sovereign states in the Western Hemisphere in violation of the Charter of the Organization of American States and other international agreements and international law.
(20) The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has repeatedly reported on the unacceptable human rights situation in Cuba and has taken the extraordinary step of appointing a Special Rapporteur.
(21) The Cuban Government has consistently refused access to the Special Rapporteur and formally expressed its decision not to "implement so much as one comma" of the United Nations Resolutions appointing the Rapporteur.
(22) The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 47–139 on December 18, 1992, Resolution 48–142 on December 20, 1993, and Resolution 49–200 on December 23, 1994, referencing the Special Rapporteur's reports to the United Nations and condemning violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.
(23) Article 39 of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter provides that the United Nations Security Council "shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken . . ., to maintain or restore international peace and security.".
(24) The United Nations has determined that massive and systematic violations of human rights may constitute a "threat to peace" under Article 39 and has imposed sanctions due to such violations of human rights in the cases of Rhodesia, South Africa, Iraq, and the former Yugoslavia.
(25) In the case of Haiti, a neighbor of Cuba not as close to the United States as Cuba, the United States led an effort to obtain and did obtain a United Nations Security Council embargo and blockade against that country due to the existence of a military dictatorship in power less than 3 years.
(26) United Nations Security Council Resolution 940 of July 31, 1994, subsequently authorized the use of "all necessary means" to restore the "democratically elected government of Haiti", and the democratically elected government of Haiti was restored to power on October 15, 1994.
(27) The Cuban people deserve to be assisted in a decisive manner to end the tyranny that has oppressed them for 36 years, and the continued failure to do so constitutes ethically improper conduct by the international community.
(28) For the past 36 years, the Cuban Government has posed and continues to pose a national security threat to the United States.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, referred to in par. (11), is title XVII of div. A of
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in par. (12), is
The FREEDOM Support Act, referred to in par. (12), is
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
§6022. Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are—
(1) to assist the Cuban people in regaining their freedom and prosperity, as well as in joining the community of democratic countries that are flourishing in the Western Hemisphere;
(2) to strengthen international sanctions against the Castro government;
(3) to provide for the continued national security of the United States in the face of continuing threats from the Castro government of terrorism, theft of property from United States nationals by the Castro government, and the political manipulation by the Castro government of the desire of Cubans to escape that results in mass migration to the United States;
(4) to encourage the holding of free and fair democratic elections in Cuba, conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers;
(5) to provide a policy framework for United States support to the Cuban people in response to the formation of a transition government or a democratically elected government in Cuba; and
(6) to protect United States nationals against confiscatory takings and the wrongful trafficking in property confiscated by the Castro regime.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning
§6023. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Agency or instrumentality of a foreign state
The term "agency or instrumentality of a foreign state" has the meaning given that term in
(2) Appropriate congressional committees
The term "appropriate congressional committees" means the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(3) Commercial activity
The term "commercial activity" has the meaning given that term in
(4) Confiscated
As used in subchapters I and III, the term "confiscated" refers to—
(A) the nationalization, expropriation, or other seizure by the Cuban Government of ownership or control of property, on or after January 1, 1959—
(i) without the property having been returned or adequate and effective compensation provided; or
(ii) without the claim to the property having been settled pursuant to an international claims settlement agreement or other mutually accepted settlement procedure; and
(B) the repudiation by the Cuban Government of, the default by the Cuban Government on, or the failure of the Cuban Government to pay, on or after January 1, 1959—
(i) a debt of any enterprise which has been nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government;
(ii) a debt which is a charge on property nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government; or
(iii) a debt which was incurred by the Cuban Government in satisfaction or settlement of a confiscated property claim.
(5) Cuban Government
(A) The term "Cuban Government" includes the government of any political subdivision of Cuba, and any agency or instrumentality of the Government of Cuba.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "agency or instrumentality of the Government of Cuba" means an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state as defined in
(6) Democratically elected government in Cuba
The term "democratically elected government in Cuba" means a government determined by the President to have met the requirements of
(7) Economic embargo of Cuba
The term "economic embargo of Cuba" refers to—
(A) the economic embargo (including all restrictions on trade or transactions with, and travel to or from, Cuba, and all restrictions on transactions in property in which Cuba or nationals of Cuba have an interest) that was imposed against Cuba pursuant to
(B) the restrictions imposed by section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985.
(8) Foreign national
The term "foreign national" means—
(A) an alien; or
(B) any corporation, trust, partnership, or other juridical entity not organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
(9) Knowingly
The term "knowingly" means with knowledge or having reason to know.
(10) Official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba
The term "official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba" refers to any member of the Council of Ministers, Council of State, central committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, or the Politburo of Cuba, or their equivalents.
(11) Person
The term "person" means any person or entity, including any agency or instrumentality of a foreign state.
(12) Property
(A) The term "property" means any property (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and any other form of intellectual property), whether real, personal, or mixed, and any present, future, or contingent right, security, or other interest therein, including any leasehold interest.
(B) For purposes of subchapter III of this chapter, the term "property" does not include real property used for residential purposes unless, as of March 12, 1996—
(i) the claim to the property is held by a United States national and the claim has been certified under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(ii) the property is occupied by an official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba.
(13) Traffics
(A) As used in subchapter III, and except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person "traffics" in confiscated property if that person knowingly and intentionally—
(i) sells, transfers, distributes, dispenses, brokers, manages, or otherwise disposes of confiscated property, or purchases, leases, receives, possesses, obtains control of, manages, uses, or otherwise acquires or holds an interest in confiscated property,
(ii) engages in a commercial activity using or otherwise benefiting from confiscated property, or
(iii) causes, directs, participates in, or profits from, trafficking (as described in clause (i) or (ii)) by another person, or otherwise engages in trafficking (as described in clause (i) or (ii)) through another person,
without the authorization of any United States national who holds a claim to the property.
(B) The term "traffics" does not include—
(i) the delivery of international telecommunication signals to Cuba;
(ii) the trading or holding of securities publicly traded or held, unless the trading is with or by a person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be a specially designated national;
(iii) transactions and uses of property incident to lawful travel to Cuba, to the extent that such transactions and uses of property are necessary to the conduct of such travel; or
(iv) transactions and uses of property by a person who is both a citizen of Cuba and a resident of Cuba, and who is not an official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba.
(14) Transition government in Cuba
The term "transition government in Cuba" means a government that the President determines is a transition government consistent with the requirements and factors set forth in
(15) United States national
The term "United States national" means—
(A) any United States citizen; or
(B) any other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and which has its principal place of business in the United States.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in introductory provisions, was in the original "this Act", meaning
Subchapters I and III of this chapter, referred to in pars. (4), (12)(B), and (13)(A), were in the original references to titles I and III, meaning titles I and III of
The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, referred to in par. (7)(A), is title XVII of div. A of
Section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in par. (7)(B), is section 902(c) of
The International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, referred to in par. (12)(B)(i), is act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on International Relations of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Foreign Affairs of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
§6024. Severability
If any provision of this chapter or the amendments made by this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter, the amendments made by this chapter, or the application thereof to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidation.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning
SUBCHAPTER I—STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT
§6031. Statement of policy
It is the sense of the Congress that—
(1) the acts of the Castro government, including its massive, systematic, and extraordinary violations of human rights, are a threat to international peace;
(2) the President should advocate, and should instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to propose and seek within the Security Council, a mandatory international embargo against the totalitarian Cuban Government pursuant to chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, employing efforts similar to consultations conducted by United States representatives with respect to Haiti;
(3) any resumption of efforts by any independent state of the former Soviet Union to make operational any nuclear facilities in Cuba, and any continuation of intelligence activities by such a state from Cuba that are targeted at the United States and its citizens will have a detrimental impact on United States assistance to such state; and
(4) in view of the threat to the national security posed by the operation of any nuclear facility, and the Castro government's continuing blackmail to unleash another wave of Cuban refugees fleeing from Castro's oppression, most of whom find their way to United States shores, further depleting limited humanitarian and other resources of the United States, the President should do all in his power to make it clear to the Cuban Government that—
(A) the completion and operation of any nuclear power facility, or
(B) any further political manipulation of the desire of Cubans to escape that results in mass migration to the United States,
will be considered an act of aggression which will be met with an appropriate response in order to maintain the security of the national borders of the United States and the health and safety of the American people.
(
§6032. Enforcement of economic embargo of Cuba
(a) Policy
(1) Restrictions by other countries
The Congress hereby reaffirms section 1704(a) of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 [
(2) Sanctions on other countries
The Congress further urges the President to take immediate steps to apply the sanctions described in section 1704(b)(1) of that Act [
(b) Diplomatic efforts
The Secretary of State should ensure that United States diplomatic personnel abroad understand and, in their contacts with foreign officials, are communicating the reasons for the United States economic embargo of Cuba, and are urging foreign governments to cooperate more effectively with the embargo.
(c) Existing regulations
The President shall instruct the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General to enforce fully the Cuban Assets Control Regulations set forth in part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) Omitted
(e) Denial of visas to certain Cuban nationals
It is the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to enforce fully existing regulations to deny visas to Cuban nationals considered by the Secretary of State to be officers or employees of the Cuban Government or of the Communist Party of Cuba.
(f), (g) Omitted
(h) Codification of economic embargo
The economic embargo of Cuba, as in effect on March 1, 1996, including all restrictions under part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be in effect on March 12, 1996, and shall remain in effect, subject to
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (a), is title XVII of div. A of
Codification
Section is comprised of section 102 of
§6033. Prohibition against indirect financing of Cuba
(a) Prohibition
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no loan, credit, or other financing may be extended knowingly by a United States national, a permanent resident alien, or a United States agency to any person for the purpose of financing transactions involving any confiscated property the claim to which is owned by a United States national as of March 12, 1996, except for financing by the United States national owning such claim for a transaction permitted under United States law.
(b) Suspension and termination of prohibition
(1) Suspension
The President is authorized to suspend the prohibition contained in subsection (a) upon a determination made under
(2) Termination
The prohibition contained in subsection (a) shall cease to apply on the date on which the economic embargo of Cuba terminates as provided in
(c) Penalties
Violations of subsection (a) shall be punishable by such civil penalties as are applicable to violations of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations set forth in part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) Definitions
As used in this section—
(1) the term "permanent resident alien" means an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the United States; and
(2) the term "United States agency" has the meaning given the term "agency" in
(
§6034. United States opposition to Cuban membership in international financial institutions
(a) Continued opposition to Cuban membership in international financial institutions
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director of each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose the admission of Cuba as a member of such institution until the President submits a determination under
(2) Transition government
Once the President submits a determination under
(A) the President is encouraged to take steps to support the processing of Cuba's application for membership in any international financial institution, subject to the membership taking effect after a democratically elected government in Cuba is in power, and
(B) the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to instruct the United States executive director of each international financial institution to support loans or other assistance to Cuba only to the extent that such loans or assistance contribute to a stable foundation for a democratically elected government in Cuba.
(b) Reduction in United States payments to international financial institutions
If any international financial institution approves a loan or other assistance to the Cuban Government over the opposition of the United States, then the Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold from payment to such institution an amount equal to the amount of the loan or other assistance, with respect to either of the following types of payment:
(1) The paid-in portion of the increase in capital stock of the institution.
(2) The callable portion of the increase in capital stock of the institution.
(c) "International financial institution" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "international financial institution" means the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
(
§6035. United States opposition to termination of suspension of Cuban Government from participation in Organization of American States
The President should instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to oppose and vote against any termination of the suspension of the Cuban Government from participation in the Organization until the President determines under
(
§6036. Assistance by independent states of former Soviet Union for Cuban Government
(a) Reporting requirement
Not later than 90 days after March 12, 1996, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing progress toward the withdrawal of personnel of any independent state of the former Soviet Union (within the meaning of
(b), (c) Omitted
(d) Facilities at Lourdes, Cuba
(1) Disapproval of credits
The Congress expresses its strong disapproval of the extension by Russia of credits equivalent to $200,000,000 in support of the intelligence facility at Lourdes, Cuba, in November 1994.
(2) Omitted
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is comprised of section 106 of
§6037. Television broadcasting to Cuba
(a) Conversion to UHF
The Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau shall implement a conversion of television broadcasting to Cuba under the Television Marti Service to ultra high frequency (UHF) broadcasting.
(b) Periodic reports
Not later than 45 days after March 12, 1996, and every three months thereafter until the conversion described in subsection (a) is fully implemented, the Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the progress made in carrying out subsection (a).
(c) Termination of broadcasting authorities
Upon transmittal of a determination under
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is part D of title II of
The Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is
Amendments
1998—Subsecs. (a), (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
§6038. Reports on commerce with, and assistance to, Cuba from other foreign countries
(a) Reports required
Not later than 90 days after March 12, 1996, and by January 1 of each year thereafter until the President submits a determination under
(b) Contents of reports
Each report required by subsection (a) shall, for the period covered by the report, contain the following, to the extent such information is available:
(1) A description of all bilateral assistance provided to Cuba by other foreign countries, including humanitarian assistance.
(2) A description of Cuba's commerce with foreign countries, including an identification of Cuba's trading partners and the extent of such trade.
(3) A description of the joint ventures completed, or under consideration, by foreign nationals and business firms involving facilities in Cuba, including an identification of the location of the facilities involved and a description of the terms of agreement of the joint ventures and the names of the parties that are involved.
(4) A determination as to whether or not any of the facilities described in paragraph (3) is the subject of a claim against Cuba by a United States national.
(5) A determination of the amount of debt of the Cuban Government that is owed to each foreign country, including—
(A) the amount of debt exchanged, forgiven, or reduced under the terms of each investment or operation in Cuba involving foreign nationals; and
(B) the amount of debt owed the foreign country that has been exchanged, forgiven, or reduced in return for a grant by the Cuban Government of an equity interest in a property, investment, or operation of the Cuban Government or of a Cuban national.
(6) A description of the steps taken to assure that raw materials and semifinished or finished goods produced by facilities in Cuba involving foreign nationals do not enter the United States market, either directly or through third countries or parties.
(7) An identification of countries that purchase, or have purchased, arms or military supplies from Cuba or that otherwise have entered into agreements with Cuba that have a military application, including—
(A) a description of the military supplies, equipment, or other material sold, bartered, or exchanged between Cuba and such countries,
(B) a listing of the goods, services, credits, or other consideration received by Cuba in exchange for military supplies, equipment, or material, and
(C) the terms or conditions of any such agreement.
(
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of congressional reporting functions of President under subsec. (a) of this section, see section 1 of Ex. Ord. No. 13313, July 31, 2003, 68 F.R. 46075, set out as a note under
§6039. Authorization of support for democratic and human rights groups and international observers
(a) Authorization
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including
(1) Published and informational matter, such as books, videos, and cassettes, on transitions to democracy, human rights, and market economies, to be made available to independent democratic groups in Cuba.
(2) Humanitarian assistance to victims of political repression, and their families.
(3) Support for democratic and human rights groups in Cuba.
(4) Support for visits and permanent deployment of independent international human rights monitors in Cuba.
(b) OAS emergency fund
(1) For support of human rights and elections
The President shall take the necessary steps to encourage the Organization of American States to create a special emergency fund for the explicit purpose of deploying human rights observers, election support, and election observation in Cuba.
(2) Action of other member states
The President should instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to encourage other member states of the Organization to join in calling for the Cuban Government to allow the immediate deployment of independent human rights monitors of the Organization throughout Cuba and on-site visits to Cuba by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
(3) Voluntary contributions for fund
Notwithstanding
(c) Denial of funds to Cuban Government
In implementing this section, the President shall take all necessary steps to ensure that no funds or other assistance is provided to the Cuban Government.
(
§6040. Importation safeguard against certain Cuban products
(a) Prohibition on import of and dealings in Cuban products
The Congress notes that section 515.204 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, prohibits the entry of, and dealings outside the United States in, merchandise that—
(1) is of Cuban origin;
(2) is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba; or
(3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba.
(b) Effect of NAFTA
The Congress notes that United States accession to the North American Free Trade Agreement does not modify or alter the United States sanctions against Cuba. The statement of administrative action accompanying that trade agreement specifically states the following:
(1) "The NAFTA rules of origin will not in any way diminish the Cuban sanctions program. . . . Nothing in the NAFTA would operate to override this prohibition.".
(2) "Article 309(3) [of the NAFTA] permits the United States to ensure that Cuban products or goods made from Cuban materials are not imported into the United States from Mexico or Canada and that United States products are not exported to Cuba through those countries.".
(c) Restriction of sugar imports
The Congress notes that section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (
(d) Assurances regarding sugar products
Protection of essential security interests of the United States requires assurances that sugar products that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, into the customs territory of the United States are not products of Cuba.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (c), is section 902(c) of
§6041. Withholding of foreign assistance from countries supporting Juragua nuclear plant in Cuba
(a) Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) President Clinton stated in April 1993 that the United States opposed the construction of the Juragua nuclear power plant because of the concerns of the United States about Cuba's ability to ensure the safe operation of the facility and because of Cuba's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or ratify the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
(2) Cuba has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or ratified the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the latter of which establishes Latin America and the Caribbean as a nuclear weapons-free zone.
(3) The State Department, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy have expressed concerns about the construction and operation of Cuba's nuclear reactors.
(4) In a September 1992 report to the Congress, the General Accounting Office outlined concerns among nuclear energy experts about deficiencies in the nuclear plant project in Juragua, near Cienfuegos, Cuba, including—
(A) a lack in Cuba of a nuclear regulatory structure;
(B) the absence in Cuba of an adequate infrastructure to ensure the plant's safe operation and requisite maintenance;
(C) the inadequacy of training of plant operators;
(D) reports by a former technician from Cuba who, by examining with x-rays weld sites believed to be part of the auxiliary plumbing system for the plant, found that 10 to 15 percent of those sites were defective;
(E) since September 5, 1992, when construction on the plant was halted, the prolonged exposure to the elements, including corrosive salt water vapor, of the primary reactor components; and
(F) the possible inadequacy of the upper portion of the reactors' dome retention capability to withstand only 7 pounds of pressure per square inch, given that normal atmospheric pressure is 32 pounds per square inch and United States reactors are designed to accommodate pressures of 50 pounds per square inch.
(5) The United States Geological Survey claims that it had difficulty determining answers to specific questions regarding earthquake activity in the area near Cienfuegos because the Cuban Government was not forthcoming with information.
(6) The Geological Survey has indicated that the Caribbean plate, a geological formation near the south coast of Cuba, may pose seismic risks to Cuba and the site of the power plant, and may produce large to moderate earthquakes.
(7) On May 25, 1992, the Caribbean plate produced an earthquake numbering 7.0 on the Richter scale.
(8) According to a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, summer winds could carry radioactive pollutants from a nuclear accident at the power plant throughout all of Florida and parts of the States on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico as far as Texas, and northern winds could carry the pollutants as far northeast as Virginia and Washington, D.C.
(9) The Cuban Government, under dictator Fidel Castro, in 1962 advocated the Soviets' launching of nuclear missiles to the United States, which represented a direct and dangerous provocation of the United States and brought the world to the brink of a nuclear conflict.
(10) Fidel Castro over the years has consistently issued threats against the United States Government, most recently that he would unleash another perilous mass migration from Cuba upon the enactment of this chapter.
(11) Despite the various concerns about the plant's safety and operational problems, a feasibility study is being conducted that would establish a support group to include Russia, Cuba, and third countries with the objective of completing and operating the plant.
(b) Withholding of foreign assistance
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall withhold from assistance allocated, on or after March 12, 1996, for any country an amount equal to the sum of assistance and credits, if any, provided on or after March 12, 1996, by that country or any entity in that country in support of the completion of the Cuban nuclear facility at Juragua, near Cienfuegos, Cuba.
(2) Exceptions
The requirement of paragraph (1) to withhold assistance shall not apply with respect to—
(A) assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, including disaster and refugee relief;
(B) democratic political reform or rule of law activities;
(C) the creation of private sector or nongovernmental organizations that are independent of government control;
(D) the development of a free market economic system;
(E) assistance for the purposes described in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993 (title XII of
(F) assistance under the secondary school exchange program administered by the United States Information Agency.
(3) "Assistance" defined
As used in paragraph (1), the term "assistance" means assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Upon the enactment of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(10), means the date of enactment of
The Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(E), is title XII of div. A of
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is
The Arms Export Control Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is
The Food for Peace Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is act July 10, 1954, ch. 469,
The FREEDOM Support Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is
Amendments
2008—Subsec. (b)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
General Accounting Office redesignated Government Accountability Office by section 8 of
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfer of Functions
United States Information Agency (other than Broadcasting Board of Governors and International Broadcasting Bureau) abolished and functions transferred to Secretary of State, see
§6042. Reinstitution of family remittances and travel to Cuba
It is the sense of the Congress that the President should—
(1)(A) before considering the reinstitution of general licenses for family remittances to Cuba, insist that, prior to such reinstitution, the Cuban Government permit the unfettered operation of small businesses fully empowered with the right to hire others to whom they may pay wages and to buy materials necessary in the operation of the businesses, and with such other authority and freedom as are required to foster the operation of small businesses throughout Cuba; and
(B) if licenses described in subparagraph (A) are reinstituted, require a specific license for remittances described in subparagraph (A) in amounts of more than $500; and
(2) before considering the reinstitution of general licenses for travel to Cuba by individuals resident in the United States who are family members of Cuban nationals who are resident in Cuba, insist on such actions by the Cuban Government as abrogation of the sanction for departure from Cuba by refugees, release of political prisoners, recognition of the right of association, and other fundamental freedoms.
(
§6043. Expulsion of criminals from Cuba
The President shall instruct all United States Government officials who engage in official contacts with the Cuban Government to raise on a regular basis the extradition of or rendering to the United States all persons residing in Cuba who are sought by the United States Department of Justice for crimes committed in the United States.
(
§6044. News bureaus in Cuba
(a) Establishment of news bureaus
The President is authorized to establish and implement an exchange of news bureaus between the United States and Cuba, if the exchange meets the following conditions:
(1) The exchange is fully reciprocal.
(2) The Cuban Government agrees not to interfere with the establishment of news bureaus or with the movement in Cuba of journalists of any United States-based news organizations, including Radio Marti and Television Marti.
(3) The Cuban Government agrees not to interfere with decisions of United States-based news organizations with respect to individuals assigned to work as journalists in their news bureaus in Cuba.
(4) The Department of the Treasury is able to ensure that only accredited journalists regularly employed with a news gathering organization travel to Cuba under this subsection.
(5) The Cuban Government agrees not to interfere with the transmission of telecommunications signals of news bureaus or with the distribution within Cuba of publications of any United States-based news organization that has a news bureau in Cuba.
(b) Assurance against espionage
In implementing this section, the President shall take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the United States against espionage by Cuban journalists it believes to be working for the intelligence agencies of the Cuban Government.
(c) Fully reciprocal
As used in subsection (a)(1), the term "fully reciprocal" means that all news services, news organizations, and broadcasting services, including such services or organizations that receive financing, assistance, or other support from a governmental or official source, are permitted to establish and operate a news bureau in the United States and Cuba.
(
§6045. Effect of chapter on lawful United States Government activities
Nothing in this chapter prohibits any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency, or of an intelligence agency, of the United States.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning
§6046. Condemnation of Cuban attack on American aircraft
(a) Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Brothers to the Rescue is a Miami-based humanitarian organization engaged in searching for and aiding Cuban refugees in the Straits of Florida, and was engaged in such a mission on Saturday, February 24, 1996.
(2) The members of Brothers to the Rescue were flying unarmed and defenseless planes in a mission identical to hundreds they have flown since 1991 and posed no threat whatsoever to the Cuban Government, the Cuban military, or the Cuban people.
(3) Statements by the Cuban Government that Brothers to the Rescue has engaged in covert operations, bombing campaigns, and commando operations against the Government of Cuba have no basis in fact.
(4) The Brothers to the Rescue aircraft notified air traffic controllers as to their flight plans, which would take them south of the 24th parallel and close to Cuban airspace.
(5) International law provides a nation with airspace over the 12-mile territorial sea.
(6) The response of Fidel Castro's dictatorship to Saturday's afternoon flight was to scramble 2 fighter jets from a Havana airfield.
(7) At approximately 3:24 p.m., the pilot of one of the Cuban MiGs received permission and proceeded to shoot down one Brothers to the Rescue airplane more than 6 miles north of the Cuban exclusion zone, or 18 miles from the Cuban coast.
(8) Approximately 7 minutes later, the pilot of the Cuban fighter jet received permission and proceeded to shoot down the second Brothers to the Rescue airplane almost 18.5 miles north of the Cuban exclusion zone, or 30.5 miles from the Cuban coast.
(9) The Cuban dictatorship, if it truly felt threatened by the flight of these unarmed aircraft, could have and should have pursued other peaceful options as required by international law.
(10) The response chosen by Fidel Castro, the use of lethal force, was completely inappropriate to the situation presented to the Cuban Government, making such actions a blatant and barbaric violation of international law and tantamount to cold-blooded murder.
(11) There were no survivors of the attack on these aircraft, and the crew of a third aircraft managed to escape this criminal attack by Castro's Air Force.
(12) The crew members of the destroyed planes, Pablo Morales, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, and Armando Alejandre, were United States citizens from Miami flying with Brothers to the Rescue on a voluntary basis.
(13) It is incumbent upon the United States Government to protect the lives and livelihoods of United States citizens as well as the rights of free passage and humanitarian missions.
(14) This premeditated act took place after a week-long wave of repression by the Cuban Government against Concilio Cubano, an umbrella organization of human rights activists, dissidents, independent economists, and independent journalists, among others.
(15) The wave of repression against Concilio Cubano, whose membership is committed to peaceful democratic change in Cuba, included arrests, strip searches, house arrests, and in some cases sentences to more than 1 year in jail.
(b) Statements by Congress
(1) The Congress strongly condemns the act of terrorism by the Castro regime in shooting down the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft on February 24, 1996.
(2) The Congress extends its condolences to the families of Pablo Morales, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, and Armando Alejandre, the victims of the attack.
(3) The Congress urges the President to seek, in the International Court of Justice, indictment for this act of terrorism by Fidel Castro.
(
SUBCHAPTER II—ASSISTANCE TO FREE AND INDEPENDENT CUBA
§6061. Policy toward transition government and democratically elected government in Cuba
The policy of the United States is as follows:
(1) To support the self-determination of the Cuban people.
(2) To recognize that the self-determination of the Cuban people is a sovereign and national right of the citizens of Cuba which must be exercised free of interference by the government of any other country.
(3) To encourage the Cuban people to empower themselves with a government which reflects the self-determination of the Cuban people.
(4) To recognize the potential for a difficult transition from the current regime in Cuba that may result from the initiatives taken by the Cuban people for self-determination in response to the intransigence of the Castro regime in not allowing any substantive political or economic reforms, and to be prepared to provide the Cuban people with humanitarian, developmental, and other economic assistance.
(5) In solidarity with the Cuban people, to provide appropriate forms of assistance—
(A) to a transition government in Cuba;
(B) to facilitate the rapid movement from such a transition government to a democratically elected government in Cuba that results from an expression of the self-determination of the Cuban people; and
(C) to support such a democratically elected government.
(6) Through such assistance, to facilitate a peaceful transition to representative democracy and a market economy in Cuba and to consolidate democracy in Cuba.
(7) To deliver such assistance to the Cuban people only through a transition government in Cuba, through a democratically elected government in Cuba, through United States Government organizations, or through United States, international, or indigenous nongovernmental organizations.
(8) To encourage other countries and multilateral organizations to provide similar assistance, and to work cooperatively with such countries and organizations to coordinate such assistance.
(9) To ensure that appropriate assistance is rapidly provided and distributed to the people of Cuba upon the institution of a transition government in Cuba.
(10) Not to provide favorable treatment or influence on behalf of any individual or entity in the selection by the Cuban people of their future government.
(11) To assist a transition government in Cuba and a democratically elected government in Cuba to prepare the Cuban military forces for an appropriate role in a democracy.
(12) To be prepared to enter into negotiations with a democratically elected government in Cuba either to return the United States Naval Base at Guantanamo to Cuba or to renegotiate the present agreement under mutually agreeable terms.
(13) To consider the restoration of diplomatic recognition and support the reintegration of the Cuban Government into Inter-American organizations when the President determines that there exists a democratically elected government in Cuba.
(14) To take steps to remove the economic embargo of Cuba when the President determines that a transition to a democratically elected government in Cuba has begun.
(15) To assist a democratically elected government in Cuba to strengthen and stabilize its national currency.
(16) To pursue trade relations with a free, democratic, and independent Cuba.
(
§6062. Assistance for Cuban people
(a) Authorization
(1) In general
The President shall develop a plan for providing economic assistance to Cuba at such time as the President determines that a transition government or a democratically elected government in Cuba (as determined under
(2) Effect on other laws
Assistance may be provided under this section subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(b) Plan for assistance
(1) Development of plan
The President shall develop a plan for providing assistance under this section—
(A) to Cuba when a transition government in Cuba is in power; and
(B) to Cuba when a democratically elected government in Cuba is in power.
(2) Types of assistance
Assistance under the plan developed under paragraph (1) may, subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations, include the following:
(A) Transition government
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), assistance to Cuba under a transition government shall, subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations, be limited to—
(I) such food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and assistance to meet emergency energy needs, as is necessary to meet the basic human needs of the Cuban people; and
(II) assistance described in subparagraph (C).
(ii) Assistance in addition to assistance under clause (i) may be provided, but only after the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, in accordance with procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [
(iii) Only after a transition government in Cuba is in power, freedom of individuals to travel to visit their relatives without any restrictions shall be permitted.
(B) Democratically elected government
Assistance to a democratically elected government in Cuba may, subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations, consist of economic assistance in addition to assistance available under subparagraph (A), together with assistance described in subparagraph (C). Such economic assistance may include—
(i) assistance under
(ii) assistance under the Food for Peace Act [
(iii) financing, guarantees, and other forms of assistance provided by the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
(iv) financial support provided by the United States International Development Finance Corporation for investment projects in Cuba;
(v) assistance provided by the Trade and Development Agency;
(vi) Peace Corps programs; and
(vii) other appropriate assistance to carry out the policy of
(C) Military adjustment assistance
Assistance to a transition government in Cuba and to a democratically elected government in Cuba shall also include assistance in preparing the Cuban military forces to adjust to an appropriate role in a democracy.
(c) Strategy for distribution
The plan developed under subsection (b) shall include a strategy for distributing assistance under the plan.
(d) Distribution
Assistance under the plan developed under subsection (b) shall be provided through United States Government organizations and nongovernmental organizations and private and voluntary organizations, whether within or outside the United States, including humanitarian, educational, labor, and private sector organizations.
(e) International efforts
The President shall take the necessary steps—
(1) to seek to obtain the agreement of other countries and of international financial institutions and multilateral organizations to provide to a transition government in Cuba, and to a democratically elected government in Cuba, assistance comparable to that provided by the United States under this chapter; and
(2) to work with such countries, institutions, and organizations to coordinate all such assistance programs.
(f) Communication with Cuban people
The President shall take the necessary steps to communicate to the Cuban people the plan for assistance developed under this section.
(g) Report to Congress
Not later than 180 days after March 12, 1996, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing in detail the plan developed under this section.
(h) Report on trade and investment relations
(1) Report to Congress
The President, following the transmittal to the Congress of a determination under
(A) acts, policies, and practices which constitute significant barriers to, or distortions of, United States trade in goods or services or foreign direct investment with respect to Cuba;
(B) policy objectives of the United States regarding trade relations with a democratically elected government in Cuba, and the reasons therefor, including possible—
(i) reciprocal extension of nondiscriminatory trade treatment (most-favored-nation treatment);
(ii) designation of Cuba as a beneficiary developing country under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 [
(iii) negotiations regarding free trade, including the accession of Cuba to the North American Free Trade Agreement;
(C) specific trade negotiating objectives of the United States with respect to Cuba, including the objectives described in section 108(b)(5) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (
(D) actions proposed or anticipated to be undertaken, and any proposed legislation necessary or appropriate, to achieve any of such policy and negotiating objectives.
(2) Consultation
The President shall consult with the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the appropriate congressional committees and shall seek advice from the appropriate advisory committees established under section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 [
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i), is
The Food for Peace Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii), is act July 10, 1954, ch. 469,
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), was in the original "this Act", meaning
The Trade Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (h)(1)(B)(ii), is
The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, referred to in subsec. (h)(1)(B)(ii), is title II of
Section 108(b)(5) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(D)(ii), is section 108(b)(5) of
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iv).
2008—Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
§6063. Coordination of assistance program; implementation and reports to Congress; reprogramming
(a) Coordinating official
The President shall designate a coordinating official who shall be responsible for—
(1) implementing the strategy for distributing assistance described in
(2) ensuring the speedy and efficient distribution of such assistance; and
(3) ensuring coordination among, and appropriate oversight by, the agencies of the United States that provide assistance described in
(b) United States-Cuba council
Upon making a determination under subsection (c)(3) that a democratically elected government in Cuba is in power, the President, after consultation with the coordinating official, is authorized to designate a United States-Cuba council—
(1) to ensure coordination between the United States Government and the private sector in responding to change in Cuba, and in promoting market-based development in Cuba; and
(2) to establish periodic meetings between representatives of the United States and Cuban private sectors for the purpose of facilitating bilateral trade.
(c) Implementation of plan; reports to Congress
(1) Implementation with respect to transition government
Upon making a determination that a transition government in Cuba is in power, the President shall transmit that determination to the appropriate congressional committees and shall, subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations, commence the delivery and distribution of assistance to such transition government under the plan developed under
(2) Reports to Congress
(A) The President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth the strategy for providing assistance described in section 6062(b)(2)(A) and (C) of this title to the transition government in Cuba under the plan of assistance developed under
(B) The President shall transmit the report not later than 90 days after making the determination referred to in paragraph (1), except that the President shall transmit the report in preliminary form not later than 15 days after making that determination.
(3) Implementation with respect to democratically elected government
The President shall, upon determining that a democratically elected government in Cuba is in power, submit that determination to the appropriate congressional committees and shall, subject to an authorization of appropriations and subject to the availability of appropriations, commence the delivery and distribution of assistance to such democratically elected government under the plan developed under
(4) Annual reports to Congress
Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the assistance provided under the plan developed under
(d) Reprogramming
Any changes in the assistance to be provided under the plan developed under
(
§6064. Termination of economic embargo of Cuba
(a) Presidential actions
Upon submitting a determination to the appropriate congressional committees under
(b) Suspension of certain provisions of law
In carrying out subsection (a), the President may suspend the enforcement of—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4) section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985; and
(5) the prohibitions on transactions described in part 515 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) Additional Presidential actions
Upon submitting a determination to the appropriate congressional committees under
(d) Conforming amendments
On the date on which the President submits a determination under
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4) section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 is repealed.
(e) Review of suspension of economic embargo
(1) Review
If the President takes action under subsection (a) to suspend the economic embargo of Cuba, the President shall immediately so notify the Congress. The President shall report to the Congress no less frequently than every 6 months thereafter, until he submits a determination under
(2) Joint resolutions
For purposes of this subsection, the term "joint resolution" means only a joint resolution of the 2 Houses of Congress, the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: "That the Congress disapproves the action of the President under section 204(a) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to suspend the economic embargo of Cuba, notice of which was submitted to the Congress on ____.", with the blank space being filled with the appropriate date.
(3) Referral to committees
Joint resolutions introduced in the House of Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on International Relations and joint resolutions introduced in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
(4) Procedures
(A) Any joint resolution shall be considered in the Senate in accordance with the provisions of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976.
(B) For the purpose of expediting the consideration and enactment of joint resolutions, a motion to proceed to the consideration of any joint resolution after it has been reported by the appropriate committee shall be treated as highly privileged in the House of Representatives.
(C) Not more than 1 joint resolution may be considered in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 6-month period beginning on the date on which the President notifies the Congress under paragraph (1) of the action taken under subsection (a), and in each 6-month period thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsecs. (b)(4) and (d)(4), is section 902(c) of
Section 204(a) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is subsec. (a) of this section.
Section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(A), is section 601(b) of
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on International Relations of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Foreign Affairs of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
§6065. Requirements and factors for determining transition government
(a) Requirements
For the purposes of this chapter, a transition government in Cuba is a government that—
(1) has legalized all political activity;
(2) has released all political prisoners and allowed for investigations of Cuban prisons by appropriate international human rights organizations;
(3) has dissolved the present Department of State Security in the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, including the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and the Rapid Response Brigades; and
(4) has made public commitments to organizing free and fair elections for a new government—
(A) to be held in a timely manner within a period not to exceed 18 months after the transition government assumes power;
(B) with the participation of multiple independent political parties that have full access to the media on an equal basis, including (in the case of radio, television, or other telecommunications media) in terms of allotments of time for such access and the times of day such allotments are given; and
(C) to be conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers, such as the Organization of American States, the United Nations, and other election monitors;
(5) has ceased any interference with Radio Marti or Television Marti broadcasts;
(6) makes public commitments to and is making demonstrable progress in—
(A) establishing an independent judiciary;
(B) respecting internationally recognized human rights and basic freedoms as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Cuba is a signatory nation;
(C) allowing the establishment of independent trade unions as set forth in conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labor Organization, and allowing the establishment of independent social, economic, and political associations;
(7) does not include Fidel Castro or Raul Castro; and
(8) has given adequate assurances that it will allow the speedy and efficient distribution of assistance to the Cuban people.
(b) Additional factors
In addition to the requirements in subsection (a), in determining whether a transition government in Cuba is in power, the President shall take into account the extent to which that government—
(1) is demonstrably in transition from a communist totalitarian dictatorship to representative democracy;
(2) has made public commitments to, and is making demonstrable progress in—
(A) effectively guaranteeing the rights of free speech and freedom of the press, including granting permits to privately owned media and telecommunications companies to operate in Cuba;
(B) permitting the reinstatement of citizenship to Cuban-born persons returning to Cuba;
(C) assuring the right to private property; and
(D) taking appropriate steps to return to United States citizens (and entities which are 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United States citizens) property taken by the Cuban Government from such citizens and entities on or after January 1, 1959, or to provide equitable compensation to such citizens and entities for such property;
(3) has extradited or otherwise rendered to the United States all persons sought by the United States Department of Justice for crimes committed in the United States; and
(4) has permitted the deployment throughout Cuba of independent and unfettered international human rights monitors.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this Act", meaning
§6066. Requirements for determining democratically elected government
For purposes of this chapter, a democratically elected government in Cuba, in addition to meeting the requirements of
(1) results from free and fair elections—
(A) conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers; and
(B) in which—
(i) opposition parties were permitted ample time to organize and campaign for such elections; and
(ii) all candidates were permitted full access to the media;
(2) is showing respect for the basic civil liberties and human rights of the citizens of Cuba;
(3) is substantially moving toward a market-oriented economic system based on the right to own and enjoy property;
(4) is committed to making constitutional changes that would ensure regular free and fair elections and the full enjoyment of basic civil liberties and human rights by the citizens of Cuba;
(5) has made demonstrable progress in establishing an independent judiciary; and
(6) has made demonstrable progress in returning to United States citizens (and entities which are 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United States citizens) property taken by the Cuban Government from such citizens and entities on or after January 1, 1959, or providing full compensation for such property in accordance with international law standards and practice.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning
§6067. Settlement of outstanding United States claims to confiscated property in Cuba
(a) Report to Congress
Not later than 180 days after March 12, 1996, the Secretary of State shall provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees containing an assessment of the property dispute question in Cuba, including—
(1) an estimate of the number and amount of claims to property confiscated by the Cuban Government that are held by United States nationals in addition to those claims certified under
(2) an assessment of the significance of promptly resolving confiscated property claims to the revitalization of the Cuban economy;
(3) a review and evaluation of technical and other assistance that the United States could provide to help either a transition government in Cuba or a democratically elected government in Cuba establish mechanisms to resolve property questions;
(4) an assessment of the role and types of support the United States could provide to help resolve claims to property confiscated by the Cuban Government that are held by United States nationals who did not receive or qualify for certification under
(5) an assessment of any areas requiring legislative review or action regarding the resolution of property claims in Cuba prior to a change of government in Cuba.
(d) 1 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that the satisfactory resolution of property claims by a Cuban Government recognized by the United States remains an essential condition for the full resumption of economic and diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.
(
1 So in original. No subsec. (b) or (c) has been enacted.
SUBCHAPTER III—PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS OF UNITED STATES NATIONALS
§6081. Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Individuals enjoy a fundamental right to own and enjoy property which is enshrined in the United States Constitution.
(2) The wrongful confiscation or taking of property belonging to United States nationals by the Cuban Government, and the subsequent exploitation of this property at the expense of the rightful owner, undermines the comity of nations, the free flow of commerce, and economic development.
(3) Since Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959—
(A) he has trampled on the fundamental rights of the Cuban people; and
(B) through his personal despotism, he has confiscated the property of—
(i) millions of his own citizens;
(ii) thousands of United States nationals; and
(iii) thousands more Cubans who claimed asylum in the United States as refugees because of persecution and later became naturalized citizens of the United States.
(4) It is in the interest of the Cuban people that the Cuban Government respect equally the property rights of Cuban nationals and nationals of other countries.
(5) The Cuban Government is offering foreign investors the opportunity to purchase an equity interest in, manage, or enter into joint ventures using property and assets some of which were confiscated from United States nationals.
(6) This "trafficking" in confiscated property provides badly needed financial benefit, including hard currency, oil, and productive investment and expertise, to the current Cuban Government and thus undermines the foreign policy of the United States—
(A) to bring democratic institutions to Cuba through the pressure of a general economic embargo at a time when the Castro regime has proven to be vulnerable to international economic pressure; and
(B) to protect the claims of United States nationals who had property wrongfully confiscated by the Cuban Government.
(7) The United States Department of State has notified other governments that the transfer to third parties of properties confiscated by the Cuban Government "would complicate any attempt to return them to their original owners".
(8) The international judicial system, as currently structured, lacks fully effective remedies for the wrongful confiscation of property and for unjust enrichment from the use of wrongfully confiscated property by governments and private entities at the expense of the rightful owners of the property.
(9) International law recognizes that a nation has the ability to provide for rules of law with respect to conduct outside its territory that has or is intended to have substantial effect within its territory.
(10) The United States Government has an obligation to its citizens to provide protection against wrongful confiscations by foreign nations and their citizens, including the provision of private remedies.
(11) To deter trafficking in wrongfully confiscated property, United States nationals who were the victims of these confiscations should be endowed with a judicial remedy in the courts of the United States that would deny traffickers any profits from economically exploiting Castro's wrongful seizures.
(
§6082. Liability for trafficking in confiscated property claimed by United States nationals
(a) Civil remedy
(1) Liability for trafficking
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person that, after the end of the 3-month period beginning on the effective date of this subchapter, traffics in property which was confiscated by the Cuban Government on or after January 1, 1959, shall be liable to any United States national who owns the claim to such property for money damages in an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the amount which is the greater of—
(I) the amount, if any, certified to the claimant by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(II) the amount determined under
(III) the fair market value of that property, calculated as being either the current value of the property, or the value of the property when confiscated plus interest, whichever is greater; and
(ii) court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(B) Interest under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be at the rate set forth in
(2) Presumption in favor of the certified claims
There shall be a presumption that the amount for which a person is liable under clause (i) of paragraph (1)(A) is the amount that is certified as described in subclause (I) of that clause. The presumption shall be rebuttable by clear and convincing evidence that the amount described in subclause (II) or (III) of that clause is the appropriate amount of liability under that clause.
(3) Increased liability
(A) Any person that traffics in confiscated property for which liability is incurred under paragraph (1) shall, if a United States national owns a claim with respect to that property which was certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(B) If the claimant in an action under this subsection (other than a United States national to whom subparagraph (A) applies) provides, after the end of the 3-month period described in paragraph (1) notice to—
(i) a person against whom the action is to be initiated, or
(ii) a person who is to be joined as a defendant in the action,
at least 30 days before initiating the action or joining such person as a defendant, as the case may be, and that person, after the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date the notice is provided, traffics in the confiscated property that is the subject of the action, then that person shall be liable to that claimant for damages computed in accordance with subparagraph (C).
(C) Damages for which a person is liable under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) are money damages in an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), and
(ii) 3 times the amount determined applicable under paragraph (1)(A)(i).
(D) Notice to a person under subparagraph (B)—
(i) shall be in writing;
(ii) shall be posted by certified mail or personally delivered to the person; and
(iii) shall contain—
(I) a statement of intention to commence the action under this section or to join the person as a defendant (as the case may be), together with the reasons therefor;
(II) a demand that the unlawful trafficking in the claimant's property cease immediately; and
(III) a copy of the summary statement published under paragraph (8).
(4) Applicability
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, actions may be brought under paragraph (1) with respect to property confiscated before, on, or after March 12, 1996.
(B) In the case of property confiscated before March 12, 1996, a United States national may not bring an action under this section on a claim to the confiscated property unless such national acquires ownership of the claim before March 12, 1996.
(C) In the case of property confiscated on or after March 12, 1996, a United States national who, after the property is confiscated, acquires ownership of a claim to the property by assignment for value, may not bring an action on the claim under this section.
(5) Treatment of certain actions
(A) In the case of a United States national who was eligible to file a claim with the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(B) In the case of any action brought under this section by a United States national whose underlying claim in the action was timely filed with the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 but was denied by the Commission, the court shall accept the findings of the Commission on the claim as conclusive in the action under this section.
(C) A United States national, other than a United States national bringing an action under this section on a claim certified under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, may not bring an action on a claim under this section before the end of the 2-year period beginning on March 12, 1996.
(D) An interest in property for which a United States national has a claim certified under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 may not be the subject of a claim in an action under this section by any other person. Any person bringing an action under this section whose claim has not been so certified shall have the burden of establishing for the court that the interest in property that is the subject of the claim is not the subject of a claim so certified.
(6) Inapplicability of act of state doctrine
No court of the United States shall decline, based upon the act of state doctrine, to make a determination on the merits in an action brought under paragraph (1) .
(7) Licenses not required
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an action under this section may be brought and may be settled, and a judgment rendered in such action may be enforced, without obtaining any license or other permission from any agency of the United States, except that this paragraph shall not apply to the execution of a judgment against, or the settlement of actions involving, property blocked under the authorities of
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and for purposes of this subchapter only, any claim against the Cuban Government shall not be deemed to be an interest in property the transfer of which to a United States national required before March 12, 1996, or requires after March 12, 1996, a license issued by, or the permission of, any agency of the United States.
(8) Publication by Attorney General
Not later than 60 days after March 12, 1996, the Attorney General shall prepare and publish in the Federal Register a concise summary of the provisions of this subchapter, including a statement of the liability under this subchapter of a person trafficking in confiscated property, and the remedies available to United States nationals under this subchapter.
(b) Amount in controversy
An action may be brought under this section by a United States national only where the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $50,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys' fees. In calculating $50,000 for purposes of the preceding sentence, the applicable amount under subclause (I), (II), or (III) of subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) may not be tripled as provided in subsection (a)(3).
(c) Procedural requirements
(1) In general
Except as provided in this subchapter, the provisions of title 28 and the rules of the courts of the United States apply to actions under this section to the same extent as such provisions and rules apply to any other action brought under
(2) Service of process
In an action under this section, service of process on an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state in the conduct of a commercial activity, or against individuals acting under color of law, shall be made in accordance with
(d) Enforceability of judgments against Cuban Government
In an action brought under this section, any judgment against an agency or instrumentality of the Cuban Government shall not be enforceable against an agency or instrumentality of either a transition government in Cuba or a democratically elected government in Cuba.
(e) Omitted
(f) Election of remedies
(1) Election
Subject to paragraph (2)—
(A) any United States national that brings an action under this section may not bring any other civil action or proceeding under the common law, Federal law, or the law of any of the several States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, that seeks monetary or nonmonetary compensation by reason of the same subject matter; and
(B) any person who brings, under the common law or any provision of law other than this section, a civil action or proceeding for monetary or nonmonetary compensation arising out of a claim for which an action would otherwise be cognizable under this section may not bring an action under this section on that claim.
(2) Treatment of certified claimants
(A) In the case of any United States national that brings an action under this section based on a claim certified under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(i) if the recovery in the action is equal to or greater than the amount of the certified claim, the United States national may not receive payment on the claim under any agreement entered into between the United States and Cuba settling claims covered by such title, and such national shall be deemed to have discharged the United States from any further responsibility to represent the United States national with respect to that claim;
(ii) if the recovery in the action is less than the amount of the certified claim, the United States national may receive payment under a claims agreement described in clause (i) but only to the extent of the difference between the amount of the recovery and the amount of the certified claim; and
(iii) if there is no recovery in the action, the United States national may receive payment on the certified claim under a claims agreement described in clause (i) to the same extent as any certified claimant who does not bring an action under this section.
(B) In the event some or all actions brought under this section are consolidated by judicial or other action in such manner as to create a pool of assets available to satisfy the claims in such actions, including a pool of assets in a proceeding in bankruptcy, every claimant whose claim in an action so consolidated was certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(g) Deposit of excess payments by Cuba under claims agreement
Any amounts paid by Cuba under any agreement entered into between the United States and Cuba settling certified claims under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(h) Termination of rights
(1) In general
All rights created under this section to bring an action for money damages with respect to property confiscated by the Cuban Government—
(A) may be suspended under
(B) shall cease upon transmittal to the Congress of a determination of the President under
(2) Pending suits
The suspension or termination of rights under paragraph (1) shall not affect suits commenced before the date of such suspension or termination (as the case may be), and in all such suits, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if the suspension or termination had not occurred.
(i) Imposition of filing fees
The Judicial Conference of the United States shall establish a uniform fee that shall be imposed upon the plaintiff or plaintiffs in each action brought under this section. The fee should be established at a level sufficient to recover the costs to the courts of actions brought under this section. The fee under this subsection is in addition to any other fees imposed under title 28.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
For the effective date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), as Aug. 1, 1996, or date determined pursuant to suspension authority of President see
The International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(A)(i)(I), (3)(A), (5), (f)(2), and (g), is act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54,
This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(7)(B), (8) and (c)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title III of
Codification
Section is comprised of section 302 of
§6083. Proof of ownership of claims to confiscated property
(a) Evidence of ownership
(1) Conclusiveness of certified claims
In any action brought under this subchapter, the court shall accept as conclusive proof of ownership of an interest in property a certification of a claim to ownership of that interest that has been made by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 (
(2) Claims not certified
If in an action under this subchapter a claim has not been so certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, the court may appoint a special master, including the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, to make determinations regarding the amount and ownership of the claim. Such determinations are only for evidentiary purposes in civil actions brought under this subchapter and do not constitute certifications under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949.
(3) Effect of determinations of foreign or international entities
In determining the amount or ownership of a claim in an action under this subchapter, the court shall not accept as conclusive evidence any findings, orders, judgments, or decrees from administrative agencies or courts of foreign countries or international organizations that declare the value of or invalidate the claim, unless the declaration of value or invalidation was found pursuant to binding international arbitration to which the United States or the claimant submitted the claim.
(b) Omitted
(c) Rule of construction
Nothing in this chapter or in section 514 of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(1) to require or otherwise authorize the claims of Cuban nationals who became United States citizens after their property was confiscated to be included in the claims certified to the Secretary of State by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission for purposes of future negotiation and espousal of claims with a friendly government in Cuba when diplomatic relations are restored; or
(2) as superseding, amending, or otherwise altering certifications that have been made under title V of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 [
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (2) and (c)(2), is act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54,
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Codification
Section is comprised of section 303 of
§6084. Limitation of actions
An action under
(
§6085. Effective date
(a) In general
Subject to subsections (b) and (c), this subchapter and the amendments made by this subchapter shall take effect on August 1, 1996.
(b) Suspension authority
(1) Suspension authority
The President may suspend the effective date under subsection (a) for a period of not more than 6 months if the President determines and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before such effective date that the suspension is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
(2) Additional suspensions
The President may suspend the effective date under subsection (a) for additional periods of not more than 6 months each, each of which shall begin on the day after the last day of the period during which a suspension is in effect under this subsection, if the President determines and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before the date on which the additional suspension is to begin that the suspension is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
(c) Other authorities
(1) Suspension
After this subchapter and the amendments of this subchapter have taken effect—
(A) no person shall acquire a property interest in any potential or pending action under this subchapter; and
(B) the President may suspend the right to bring an action under this subchapter with respect to confiscated property for a period of not more than 6 months if the President determines and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before the suspension takes effect that such suspension is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
(2) Additional suspensions
The President may suspend the right to bring an action under this subchapter for additional periods of not more than 6 months each, each of which shall begin on the day after the last day of the period during which a suspension is in effect under this subsection, if the President determines and reports in writing to the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days before the date on which the additional suspension is to begin that the suspension is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
(3) Pending suits
The suspensions of actions under paragraph (1) shall not affect suits commenced before the date of such suspension, and in all such suits, proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if the suspension had not occurred.
(d) Rescission of suspension
The President may rescind any suspension made under subsection (b) or (c) upon reporting to the appropriate congressional committees that doing so will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title III of
Executive Documents
Delegation of Authority To Suspend the Provisions of Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 31, 2013, 78 F.R. 9573, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including
You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Barack Obama.
SUBCHAPTER IV—EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN ALIENS
§6091. Exclusion from United States of aliens who have confiscated property of United States nationals or who traffic in such property
(a) Grounds for exclusion
The Secretary of State shall deny a visa to, and the Attorney General shall exclude from the United States, any alien who the Secretary of State determines is a person who, after March 12, 1996—
(1) has confiscated, or has directed or overseen the confiscation of, property a claim to which is owned by a United States national, or converts or has converted for personal gain confiscated property, a claim to which is owned by a United States national;
(2) traffics in confiscated property, a claim to which is owned by a United States national;
(3) is a corporate officer, principal, or shareholder with a controlling interest of an entity which has been involved in the confiscation of property or trafficking in confiscated property, a claim to which is owned by a United States national; or
(4) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of a person excludable under paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) Definitions
As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Confiscated; confiscation
The terms "confiscated" and "confiscation" refer to—
(A) the nationalization, expropriation, or other seizure by the Cuban Government of ownership or control of property—
(i) without the property having been returned or adequate and effective compensation provided; or
(ii) without the claim to the property having been settled pursuant to an international claims settlement agreement or other mutually accepted settlement procedure; and
(B) the repudiation by the Cuban Government of, the default by the Cuban Government on, or the failure of the Cuban Government to pay—
(i) a debt of any enterprise which has been nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government;
(ii) a debt which is a charge on property nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government; or
(iii) a debt which was incurred by the Cuban Government in satisfaction or settlement of a confiscated property claim.
(2) Traffics
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person "traffics" in confiscated property if that person knowingly and intentionally—
(i)(I) transfers, distributes, dispenses, brokers, or otherwise disposes of confiscated property,
(II) purchases, receives, obtains control of, or otherwise acquires confiscated property, or
(III) improves (other than for routine maintenance), invests in (by contribution of funds or anything of value, other than for routine maintenance), or begins after March 12, 1996, to manage, lease, possess, use, or hold an interest in confiscated property,
(ii) enters into a commercial arrangement using or otherwise benefiting from confiscated property, or
(iii) causes, directs, participates in, or profits from, trafficking (as described in clause (i) or (ii)) by another person, or otherwise engages in trafficking (as described in clause (i) or (ii)) through another person,
without the authorization of any United States national who holds a claim to the property.
(B) The term "traffics" does not include—
(i) the delivery of international telecommunication signals to Cuba;
(ii) the trading or holding of securities publicly traded or held, unless the trading is with or by a person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be a specially designated national;
(iii) transactions and uses of property incident to lawful travel to Cuba, to the extent that such transactions and uses of property are necessary to the conduct of such travel; or
(iv) transactions and uses of property by a person who is both a citizen of Cuba and a resident of Cuba, and who is not an official of the Cuban Government or the ruling political party in Cuba.
(c) Exemption
This section shall not apply where the Secretary of State finds, on a case by case basis, that the entry into the United States of the person who would otherwise be excluded under this section is necessary for medical reasons or for purposes of litigation of an action under subchapter III.
(d) Effective date
(1) In general
This section applies to aliens seeking to enter the United States on or after March 12, 1996.
(2) Trafficking
This section applies only with respect to acts within the meaning of "traffics" that occur on or after March 12, 1996.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subchapter III, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original "title III", meaning title III of
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Reports on Determinations Under Title IV of the LIBERTAD Act
"(a)
"(1) an unclassified list, by economic sector, of the number of entities then under review pursuant to that section;
"(2) an unclassified list of all entities and a classified list of all individuals that the Secretary of State has determined to be subject to that section;
"(3) an unclassified list of all entities and a classified list of all individuals that the Secretary of State has determined are no longer subject to that section;
"(4) an explanation of the status of the review underway for the cases referred to in paragraph (1); and
"(5) an unclassified explanation of each determination of the Secretary of State under section 401(a) of that Act and each finding of the Secretary under section 401(c) of that Act—
"(A) since the date of the enactment of this Act, in the case of the first report under this subsection; and
"(B) in the preceding 3-month period, in the case of each subsequent report.
"(b)