On October 7, 2026, U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) announced that it imposed its first civil penalty of $200,000 against U.S. company Amidi LLC (“Amidi”) under the Outbound Investment Security Program (“OISP”). The OISP came into effect on January
OFAC Issues New Cuba Sanctions Regulations and Amends Other Existing Sanctions
On September 30, 2026, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) implemented new sanctions on Cuba and formally amended the existing Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR). In May 2026, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (EO)
Investiture of Magistrate Judge Yeney Hernandez
Yesterday was the investiture of The Honorable United States Magistrate Judge Yeney Hernandez. Two things stood out. First, Judge Hernandez’s story is remarkable. Second, I think everyone who attended left with a very clear picture of
Weekly Trade Update: August 17-20, 2026
CBP to Verify Importer of Record Information on Form 5106
CBP announced it is executing enhanced enforcement procedures to verify the accuracy of importer of record information provided on CBP Form 5106, and importers of record or their brokers must
US Government Expands Cuba Sanctions Program with New Designations and General Licenses
On July 23, 2026, the US Department of State designated multiple entities and individuals in Cuba, and the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued three new Cuba-related general licenses.
The actions are intended to
Human rights body files legal petition for Cuban artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
Alcántara was removed from Guanajay prison last week, two days before his sentence officially expired on July 9
US Continues to Expand Cuba Sanctions: New SDN Designations and Secondary Sanctions Guidance
On June 4, 2026, the US Department of State announced a new round of designations under Executive Order 14404 (“EO 14404“) targeting five entities and five individuals for being “associated with developing, implementing, and funding the Cuban regime’s violent revolutionary
Trump Administration Begins to Implement New Cuba Secondary Sanctions Regime Targeting Business With Cuba
Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration marked the latest phase in its escalation of sanctions against Cuba, the subject of the longest running U.S. sanctions program. On May 1, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14404, establishing
Usufruct That! Some Clues On How SCOTUS Views Property As “Physical Things” And Not Just Sticks Or Interests
Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision in Havana Docks Corp. v. Royal Carribean Cruises, Ltd., No. 24-983 (May 22, 2026) involves a taking without compensation (although not the type of taking we usually discuss here) by the then-new communist government
Big Victory at the Supreme Court for Havana Docks
By John R. ByrneWe’ve blogged several times about the ongoing litigation between Havana Docks and various cruise lines. To bring everyone up to speed, the Helms-Burton Act makes it unlawful to “traffic” in private property confiscated by the Cuban