Exxon can sue Cuba over property confiscated in 1960, Supreme Court rules

Key Points:

• The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow Exxon Mobil to sue Cuban state-owned oil companies over property confiscated after Fidel Castro's 1960 seizure, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing the majority opinion.
• This decision aligns with the Trump administration's aggressive stance toward Cuba, including indicting former Cuban President Raúl Castro and considering military options against the island.
• The lawsuit hinges on a 1996 US law permitting nationals to sue over expropriated property, which Exxon argues overrides a general federal law barring lawsuits against foreign governments; the Cuban companies claim immunity.
• Exxon’s claim involves significant assets seized in Cuba, valued at nearly $72 million in 1969, with potential damages in the hundreds of millions including interest and triple damages.
• The Trump administration supported Exxon, emphasizing US foreign policy interests in compensating Americans for illegal expropriations by Cuba and preventing the Cuban government from profiting from such actions.