Exxon Mobil v. Corporación Cimex, S.A. (Cuba)

Exxon sued Cuban government-owned companies over property Cuba confiscated in 1960. The Court ruled that the Helms-Burton Act removes foreign sovereign immunity (protection from lawsuits) for those entities. Plaintiffs need not meet a separate FSIA (a federal law on foreign immunity) exception.

American nationals whose Cuban property was confiscated can sue Cuban government companies under the Helms-Burton Act. They need not separately meet an FSIA exception (a statutory limit on foreign-government lawsuits). For example, Exxon may pursue its damages claim against companies operating expropriated Esso assets. The ruling lets similar claims proceed against Cuban agencies and instrumentalities without satisfying FSIA exceptions. It may affect other U.S. nationals seeking compensation for confiscated Cuban property.

Not official Court text.