Havana, Cuba | February 2, 2025
The Cuban government has formally denounced the United States’ decision to reinstate Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and expand sanctions targeting Cuban financial entities, labeling the moves as an unlawful intensification of Washington’s decades-long embargo.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified Congress on Tuesday of the Biden administration’s reactivation of Title III, a provision enabling U.S. citizens to pursue litigation in American courts against foreign companies and individuals engaged in business involving properties nationalized by Cuba after 1959. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of State added Orbit S.A., Cuba’s principal remittance processor, to its Restricted Cuban Entities List, effectively barring international transactions with the firm.
In a statement issued by Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials condemned the measures as a “blatant violation of international law” and accused the U.S. of weaponizing economic policy to destabilize the island. “These actions represent a deliberate escalation of the U.S. blockade, designed to suffocate Cuba’s economy, deter foreign investment, and inflict suffering on the Cuban people to advance regime-change objectives,” the statement read.
The reinstatement of Title III revives a contentious element of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which has faced widespread criticism from U.S. allies and international bodies for its extraterritorial reach. Past administrations had waived the provision to avoid diplomatic friction, but its full implementation now risks legal disputes with third-country entities operating in Cuba. Meanwhile, the targeting of Orbit S.A.—a linchpin in Cuba’s remittance infrastructure—threatens to disrupt a critical financial channel for Cuban households, which rely heavily on overseas funds amid the nation’s economic crisis.
Cuban authorities emphasized that the sanctions contravene multiple United Nations General Assembly resolutions, which have repeatedly called for an end to the U.S. embargo. Havana urged the international community to “reject this unilateral coercion” and uphold principles of sovereignty and nonintervention.
The U.S. State Department defended the measures as a response to Cuba’s “ongoing human rights violations and support for destabilizing regimes” in the hemisphere. However, critics within the U.S. and abroad argue that the policy exacerbates humanitarian conditions on the island while failing to advance democratic reforms.
As tensions persist, Cuba reaffirmed its stance of resistance. “No amount of external pressure will divert Cuba from defending its sovereignty or pursuing equitable development,” declared Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla during a press briefing. “We call on global partners to reject these aggressive tactics and uphold a multilateral order rooted in respect, not domination.”
The latest escalation underscores the enduring rift in U.S.-Cuba relations, with analysts warning of heightened economic strain and diminished prospects for diplomatic engagement in the near term.
*—Reuters contributed to this report.*
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Key Context:
- The Helms-Burton Act, enacted in 1996, codified the U.S. embargo into law and expanded its extraterritorial scope. Title III had been partially suspended by successive U.S. administrations since its inception.
- Remittances to Cuba, estimated at $3.5 billion annually prior to recent U.S. restrictions, constitute a vital economic lifeline, accounting for nearly 10% of the island’s GDP.
- The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly (187-3 in 2023) to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba for the 31st consecutive year.
