Expedia Wins Florida Case Over Cuba Property
A Florida jury ruled Monday that two Cuban American plaintiffs failed to prove ownership of properties in Cuba, dismissing their claim against Expedia.
A federal jury in Miami delivered a verdict for Expedia Group on Monday. The travel booking company defeated a lawsuit from two Cuban Americans who claimed it profited from hotels on land confiscated from their families by the Cuban government.
The plaintiffs had sought damages under the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. This U.S. law permits naturalized American citizens to sue companies they accuse of "trafficking" in property seized by the Cuban state after the 1959 revolution. They argued that by facilitating bookings at five specific hotels, Expedia engaged in such unlawful trafficking.
The jury's decision hinged on a fundamental issue. It found the plaintiffs did not provide concrete proof of ownership or official confiscation records for the properties in question. This lack of evidence made other legal arguments in the case redundant.
The Legal Defense and Response
Expedia had maintained its operations were legal. The company stated its business was conducted under authorized travel licenses issued during the second Obama administration. Following the verdict, an Expedia spokesperson said, "We're pleased with the jury's finding, which affirms the position we've held all along."
The jury did not rule on the validity of this licensing defense. Since the plaintiffs could not establish their ownership claim, the court did not need to address whether Expedia's actions constituted trafficking under the law.
A Precedent of Legal Wins
The Significance of the Verdict
Expedia's case marks the company's second successful defense against a Helms-Burton Act claim. Last year, the company won another lawsuit. That case sought over $1.7 billion in damages related to hotel bookings on land once owned by the Sanchez Hill family.
The recent verdict highlights the high legal bar for proving ownership in such complex historical cases. Plaintiffs must present documented evidence linking them to specific properties seized decades ago.
The outcome is significant for U.S. companies operating in Cuba under specific travel licenses. It highlights a key challenge for exile families seeking compensation through the American legal system. The case concluded with the jury's finding on the evidence, leaving the broader policy debate over the Helms-Burton Act unresolved.
