U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Cuban Land Claims Cases

The court will consider whether decades-old losses from Cuba can be obtained by two U.S. businesses.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday in two cases to determine whether decades-old losses from Cuba can be obtained by two U.S. businesses, Havana Docks Corporation and Exxon Mobil. The cases challenge laws that allow U.S. citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone who trafficked in property confiscated by the Cuban government since 1959.

Why it matters

These cases could have significant financial implications for U.S. companies that have done business in Cuba since the 1960 government takeover of private assets. The rulings could also impact future U.S. policy toward Cuba and the ability of American firms to pursue claims against the communist government.

The details

In Havana Docks Corporation v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, the cruise lines argue that Havana Docks lost its interest in the docks it previously operated in 2004, even without the 1960 government takeover. Havana Docks disagrees, saying Congress meant to punish the Cuban government, not companies that suffered under the expropriation. In Exxon Mobil v. Corporacion Cimex, the case centers on whether Exxon must satisfy its claim against Cuba under the Foreign Sovereignty Immunities Act, which generally grants foreign states immunity from U.S. court jurisdiction.

  • The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the cases on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The court is expected to issue a decision by July 2026.

The players

Havana Docks Corporation

A U.S. company that previously operated docks in Cuba before they were confiscated by the Cuban government in 1960.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

A cruise line that began using the docks previously operated by Havana Docks in 2016.

Exxon Mobil

A U.S. oil and gas company that had its assets seized by the Cuban government in 1960.

Corporacion Cimex

The Cuban government agency that took over Exxon's assets in 1960.

Jordan Von Borken

Senior counsel at the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center.

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What they’re saying

“Havana Docks relies heavily on a purpose argument that Cuban expropriation of property was bad and Congress meant to punish not just the Cuban expropriators but also people who then economically benefited from that expropriation.”

— Jordan Von Borken, Senior counsel, U.S. Chamber Litigation Center (dailyfly.com)

“The broader question [is] if you have a statute that seems like it creates damages claims for people who would otherwise be immune due to sovereign immunity, do you have to also satisfy the FSIA, which is what the DC Circuit said, or do you have a waiver of sovereign immunity right there in the statute, which is what Exxon says.”

— Jordan Von Borken, Senior counsel, U.S. Chamber Litigation Center (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

After hearing arguments in the cases on Monday, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision by July 2026.

The takeaway

These cases could have significant financial and policy implications for U.S. companies that have done business in Cuba since the 1960 government takeover of private assets, as well as the broader U.S. approach toward the communist island nation.