Category: News & Media

(Washington, DC) On Monday, July 20, the Cuban embassy was reopened in Washington, DC, marking the renewal of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.

As these two countries work to re-build relations, the compensation by Cuba for properties confiscated from American families and corporations will be an issue of discussion in the months ahead.

At the Cuba Embassy re-dedication this week, CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera was joined by Jason Poblete, a sanctions specialist and claims attorney, as they discussed property claims. You can view the interview by following this link.

In an interview with Mercado De Dinero USA, Money Market USA speaks with Jason Poblete on the opening of embassies and other US-Cuba policy matters.

On the topic of property claims some sort of settlement must happen before the embargo can be lifted. International laws have successfully been used in Germany, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union where these governments owing money have been rewarded. As far as Cuba goes, expropriations and confiscations of property must be paid to the state and companies concerned, a process that will take place via the Department of Justice.

For the complete article (in spanish) go here.

The Center for Responsive Politics published a story on July 14, 2015, discussing the issue of property claims in the normalization of relations between the US and Cuba. Individual Americans are currently the leading force behind reaching a settlement as they make up the bulk of more than $7 billion in certified claims against the government of Cuba.

When property was seized after the 1959 Communist takeover of Cuba, American families and corporations comprised the largest number of foreign investors on the island. At the time, Americans that had property and assets seized by Cuba filed claims with the U.S. government. These claims have yet to be settled. Over the years, these claims have been passed down through families as the interest has accumulated.

Following the Obama administration’s announcement on re-establishing ties with Cuba, families holding certified claims have reached out to Poblete Tamargo as the issue of property claims has renewed popular interest. Restitution for property taken “was an issue nobody was paying attention to,” says Jason Poblete, an attorney with the firm. “The property issue should have been close to the front of the discussion, and it hasn’t been.”

Read the entire article here.

Radio Marti released a follow up report on June 26 discussing the current status of a request for precautionary measures that was submitted by PobleteTamargo, LLP on May 20th to the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights on behalf of Reverend Yiorvis Bravo Denis and the Apostolic Movement in Cuba. 

Despite the submission of the precautionary measures, Cuban authorities have continued harassing and intimidating the pastor and church members. Reverend Bravo Denis’ home, which is also used as a church, is under threat of confiscation by the government. The government-sponsored harassment is part of a larger campaign to restrict religious liberty and property rights in Cuba.

Since at least 2007, the members of the Apostolic Movement have been targeted by the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. The previous leader of the Apostolic Movement had been a prisoner of conscience until he was granted political asylum in the United States just a few years ago. Now, Reverend Bravo Denis, the current leader of the religious movement, is also dealing with the very same issues as his predecessor. 

Immediately following the broadcast on Television Marti, on June 30, Cuban Government officials intercepted Reverend Bravo Denis at the Airport in San Jose as he was preparing to go to a conference in Peru. Marti Noticias covers the most recent government interference and explains that the government officials prohibited the Reverend from traveling because of the claims that he is a debtor of the Cuban State for the property in Camaguey. The article on Marti Noticias, and the most recent developments are available here. 

The European-based NGO, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been working with the movement on this matter for many years, in addition to other various cases of religious persecution throughout Cuba. To learn more about their campaign visit CSW’s website, here.  The broadcast highlighting this story, aired on June 26, is available on the Television Marti website. 

Next month in Coral Gables, Florida,The Global Business Affairs Committee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 8th Annual International Business Forum.

The Forum will feauture guest speakers who will discuss cyber security as well as the protection of intellectual property and personal data. The panel of experts includes Mr. Arthur Freyre, an attorney at Poblete Tamargo, who will be speaking on data privacy from a regulatory perspective.

If you’re interested in learning more about these issues, there are a few posts on this website to get you started including these files in our e-document library.

The International Business Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables starting at 11:30am on Thursday, July 9, 2015. For more information please visit the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce website.