'Libertad' Act Imposes New Sanctions for Traders with Cuba

 This paper discusses the "Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996," which President Clinton signed into law on March 12. The new law expands Cuban sanctions into international arena by targeting international companies and individuals that do business with Cuba. The law permits U.S. owners of property expropriated by the Castro regime to sue companies and individuals that "traffic" in the confiscated property for damages in U.S. courts. It denies entry to the United States to owners, corporate officers and shareholders of companies that "traffic" in confiscated properties and their families. It also codifies the existing economic embargo on Cuba, limiting the President's flexibility in dealing with Cuba. Canada has already responded by strengthening its 1992 blocking order to prohibit Canadian corporations from refusing to trade with Cuba because of U.S. law.

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