In A First... Private Company In Cuba Wins US$85,004.63 Default Judgement Against Miami Food Exporter.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO. 502024CA000747XXXAMB
DANAOUS SRL, Plaintiff, vs. OVERSEAS OF THE AMERICAS (USA) CORP., Defendant.
 
COMPLAINT: Plaintiff, Danaous SRL ("Plaintiff'), by and through undersigned counsel, hereby sues Defendant, Overseas of The Americas (USA) Corp. ("Defendant') and alleges:

JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND THE PARTIES
This is an action for damages in excess of $50,000.00 exclusive of interest, attorney's fees, and costs.
Plaintiff is a foreign company based in Habana, Cuba.
Defendant is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business located in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Venue is appropriate in Palm Beach County, Florida because the transactions at issue occurred in Palm Beach County, and the causes of action accrued in Palm Beach County.
This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because, among other things, it engages in substantial and not isolated activity within Florida. In addition, Defendant personally, or through its agents, operates, conducts, engages in, or carries on a business or business venture in this state, andIor committed a tortious act within this state.

BACKGROUND ALLEGATIONS
On August 3, 2023, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into an Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Food Products (the "Agreement'). A copy of the Agreement is attached as Exhibit A.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Defendant sold Plaintiff two containers of chicken leg quarters (the "Products') for $84,000.00.
Plaintiff prepaid Defendant for the Products.
According to Section 7 of the Agreement, "[Defendant] will be one hundred percent (100%) responsible for the shipment upon delivery to the Port of Mariel, Cuba.' Id. at § 7.
The Products are currently on hold at the Port of Mariel, Cuba, but Defendant has failed and refused to deliver the Products to Plaintiff.
Defendant has and continues to have complete control over the Products.
Plaintiff has contacted Defendant multiple times regarding the release of the Products, but Plaintiff has failed and refused to deliver the Products.
All conditions precedent to maintaining this action have been performed, satisfied, excused, waived, or would be futile.

COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT
Plaintiff incorporates and re-alleges paragraphs 1 - 13 of this Complaint as though fully set forth herein.Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a valid and binding contract. See Ex. A.Notwithstanding Plaintiff's performance under the Agreement, including prepaid for the Products, Defendant breached the Agreement by failing to deliver the Products to Plaintiff.Accordingly, Defendant is in breach of the Agreement.As a direct and proximate result of Defendant's breach, Plaintiff has suffered damages.WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for damages, together with prejudgment and post judgment interest, costs, and for such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.

01/25/2024    CIVIL COVER SHEET     
01/25/2024    COMPLAINT    F/B PLT
01/29/2024    DIVISION ASSIGNMENT AD: Circuit Civil Central - AD (Civil)
01/29/2024    PAID $401.00 ON RECEIPT 5192743 $401.00 5192743 Fully Paid
01/29/2024    DCM DESIGNATION TO THE STREAMLINE TRACK WITH NON-JURY TRIAL ORDER JAIMIE R. GOODMAN
01/29/2024    SUMMONS ISSUED ksuarez@legalteamservices.com;k.suarez16@yahoo.com;mdiaz@legalteamservices.com OVERSEAS OF THE AMERICAS (USA) CORP.
01/31/2024    PAID $10.00 ON RECEIPT 5197048 $10.00 5197048 Fully Paid
02/08/2024    SERVICE RETURNED (NUMBERED) VERIFIED RETURN OF SERVICE SERVED OVERSEAS OF THE AMERICAS (USA) CORP - 02/02/2024
02/20/2024    RESPONSE TO: TO ALLEGATIONS F/B DFT PRO SE TO ALLEGATIONS F/B DFT PRO SE
02/28/2024    MOTION TO STRIKE MOTION TO STRIKE DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE & MOTION FOR JUDICIAL DEFAULT
03/06/2024    NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE OF ZOOM HEARING 04/11/2024 08:30:00 AM
03/06/2024    NOTICE OF HEARING AMENDED NOTICE OF ZOOM HEARING 04/11/2024 08:30:00 AM
04/12/2024    ORDER GOODMAN DTD 04/12/2024 MOTION TO STRIKE IS GRANTED AS A CORPORATE ENTITY MUST BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL GOODMAN DTD 04/12/2024 MOTION TO STRIKE IS GRANTED AS A CORPORATE ENTITY MUST BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL
05/13/2024    MOTION TO DISMISS PLT'S COMPLAINT - F/B DFT
06/03/2024    ORDER DENYING MOTION J GOODMAN DTD. 6/3/24 DENYING DEFTS MOTION TO DISMISS COMPLAINT
06/10/2024    ANSWER & AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO PLAINTIFFS COMPLAINT FILED BY DFT
07/01/2024    REQUEST TO PRODUCE PLAINTIFF'S FIRST REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION
07/01/2024    NOTICE OF FILING INTERROGS    NOTICE OF SERVING
07/13/2024    MOTION TO COMPEL PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO COMPEL DEPOSITION DATES AND REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES
07/22/2024    NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE OF OVERSEAS OF THE AMERICAS (USA) CORP 09/25/2024 01:00:00 PM
07/25/2024    MOTION TO WITHDRAW MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL OF RECORD
07/26/2024    CONSENT CONSENT TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL
07/30/2024    NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE OF ZOOM HEARING 08/28/2024 08:30:00 AM
08/13/2024    ORDER GRANTING WITHDRAW    GOODMAN; IS GRANTED; JEFFREY HARRINGTON IS PERMITTED TO WITHDRAW AS TO DFT OVERSEAS OF THE AMERICA CORP DTD 8/13/2024
08/14/2024    NOTICE OF CANCELLATION NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEARING 08/28/2024
09/17/2024    MOTION FOR DEFAULT MOTION FOR JUDICIAL DEFAULT AMERICAS (USA) CORP JUDICIAL COURT
09/17/2024    NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE OF ZOOM HEARING 10/16/2024 08:30:00 AM
10/17/2024    ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR JUDICIAL DEFAULT: GRANTED. DEFAULT IS HEREBY ENTERED AGAINST DFT OVERSEAS OF THE AMOERCAS [USA] CORP. JUDGE GOODMAN DTD 10/17/24    MOTION FOR JUDICIAL DEFAULT: GRANTED. DEFAULT IS HEREBY ENTERED AGAINST DFT OVERSEAS OF THE AMOERCAS [USA] CORP. JUDGE GOODMAN DTD 10/17/24
10/21/2024    NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE OF ZOOM HEARING 11/07/2024 08:30:00 AM
10/21/2024    MOTION FOR FINAL JUDGMENT PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT FINAL JUDGMENT
11/08/2024    FINAL JUDGMENT BOOK 35382 PAGE 1654-1656 J GOODMAN DTD. 11/8/24 MOTION FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT FINAL JUDGMENT IS GRANTED SHALL RECOVER TOTAL OF $85,004.63 FOR WHICH LET EXECUTION ISSUE. DJ
11/08/2024    DISPOSED BY JUDGE DJ - DISPOSED BY JUDGE
11/14/2024    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
12/18/2024    NOTICE OF FILING FACT INFORMATION SHEET F/B DFT

LINK To Complaint
LINK To Plaintiffs Motion For Entry Of Default Final Judgement
LINK To Notice Of Service Fact Information Sheet

LINK To Default Judgement

He's Back! Rested, Energized, Enabled.... Nice Office Near U.S. Secretary of State... A Possible Focus On Venezuela To Impact Cuba?

Truth Social: “I am pleased to announce Mauricio Claver-Carone as the State Department’s Special Envoy for Latin America. Mauricio has served in many important roles, including the White House, as my Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Over the last four years, chaos and anarchy have engulfed our Borders. It is time to restore order in our own hemisphere. Mauricio knows the region, and how to put America’s interests FIRST. He also knows the dire threats we face from illegal mass migration and fentanyl. As the State Department’s Special Envoy, Mauricio will work tirelessly to protect the American People.” Dec 22, 2024, 5:35 PM 

President-elect Trump plans to appoint Richard Grennell as Presidential Envoy for Special Missions.  During the Trump-Pence Administration (2017-2021), Mr. Grenell served as United States ambassador to Germany, Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations, and Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI).  President-elect Trump wrote: “Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea.”

Links To Related Analyses 

President-Elect Trump Announces Treasury Department Landing Team Member- Cuba Policy Focus.  November 21, 2016 

Trump Administration Appoints New Senior Director For Western Hemisphere Affairs At National Security Council.  September 01, 2018 

Mauricio Claver-Carone May Depart NSC For IDB Having Been At IMF; His Replacement? Ask Senator Marco Rubio. February 14, 2020 

New President Of Inter-American Development Bank Will Continue Focus Upon Cuba, Venezuela; And Work Closely With OAS.  September 16, 2020 

Trump-Rubio Administration Could Make Trump-Pence Administration Look Mild, Restrained, And Timid, With Respect To Cuba Policy.  From Grammar School To Postdoctoral.  July 15, 2024 

What Secretary Of State Marco Rubio Means For Cuba And Venezuela... Terrifying For Some, Spanish Language Fluency Becomes Important, End Of Airplane Metaphor, And Precursor For Vance-Rubio 2028?  November 12, 2024

11th Circuit Court Of Appeals Denies Rehearing In Havana Docks Libertad Act Lawsuit Against Four Cruise Lines. Next And Final Stop Would Be U.S. Supreme Court.

"PER CURIAM: The Petition for Rehearing En Banc is DENIED, no judge in regular active service on the Court having requested that the Court be polled on rehearing en banc. FRAP 35. The Petition for Panel Rehearing also is DENIED. FRAP 40."

Court of Appeals Docket #: 23-10151    
Docketed: 01/13/2023
Termed: 10/22/2024
Nature of Suit: 3890 Other Statutory Actions    
Havana Docks Corporation v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.    
Appeal From: Southern District of Florida    
Fee Status: Fee Paid    
Case Type Information: 1) Private Civil 2) Federal Question 3) -
Originating Court Information:
District: 113C-1 : 1:19-cv-23590-BB
Court Reporter: Yvette Hernandez
Civil Proceeding: Beth Bloom, U.S. District Judge
Secondary Judge: Chris Marie McAliley, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Date Filed: 08/27/2019        
Date NOA Filed: 01/12/2023    

11/12/2024 -Petition for rehearing en banc (with panel rehearing) filed by Appellee Havana Docks Corporation. [23-10151] (ECF: Christopher Landau)
11/13/2024- Received Four paper copies of E-PFR filed by Appellee-Cross Appellant Havana Docks Corporation in 23-10171. [23-10151, 23-10171]
12/20/2024- ORDER: The Petition(s) for Rehearing are DENIED and no Judge in regular active service on the Court having requested that the Court be polled, the Petition(s) for Rehearing En Banc filed by Appellee Havana Docks Corporation are DENIED.

LINK TO COURT DOCUMENT

LINK TO RELATED POST

Havana Docks Corporation Seeks Court Of Appeals Rehearing In Libertad Act Lawsuit Against Four Cruise Lines. Decision Likely In December 2024. Next And Final Stop Would Be U.S. Supreme Court. Nov 13, 2024

OFAC Updates Reporting Requirement For Legal Services Payments Originating Outside Of The United States.

AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is adopting a final rule amending multiple CFR parts to update general licenses authorizing payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States. Specifically, OFAC is replacing the reporting requirement in the general license with a recordkeeping requirement in applicable parts of 31 CFR chapter V. Additionally, in two CFR parts, OFAC is updating the general licenses authorizing the provision of certain legal services and adding a general license authorizing payment for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective December 19, 2024.  Applicability date: This rule is applicable on March 12, 2025.

Background

Updating Existing General Licenses Authoring Payments for Legal Services From Funds Originating Outside the United States

In this rule, OFAC is updating 31 CFR 510, 515, 526, 536, 544, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 555, 558, 569, 570, 576, 578, 579, 582, 583, 584, 585, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 594, 597, 598, and 599 to update or add general licenses authorizing payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States. Specifically, OFAC is replacing the requirement in the general license to submit annual reports for payments received with a requirement to retain for ten years records with details of payments received.

In 31 CFR 591, in addition to replacing the reporting requirement with a recordkeeping requirement as described above, OFAC is revising the general license by simplifying the language that authorizes payments.

In 31 CFR 594 and 597, in addition to replacing the reporting requirement with a recordkeeping requirement as described above, OFAC is updating § 594.517 and § 597.513 to conform with current standards for OFAC general licenses including by removing the requirement for a letter of engagement prior to receiving payment from funds originating outside the United States.

In 31 CFR 549, OFAC is updating the general license at § 549.507 authorizing the provision of certain legal services to conform with current standards for OFAC general licenses including by removing the requirement that payment for legal services be specifically licensed. Additionally, OFAC is renumbering the general licenses at § 549.508 through 549.512 as § 549.509 through 549.513, respectively, and adding new § 549.508, which authorizes payment for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.

In 31 CFR 576, OFAC is updating the general license at § 576.507 authorizing the provision of certain legal services to conform with current standards for OFAC general licenses including by removing the requirement that payment for legal services be specifically licensed. Additionally, OFAC is adding new § 576.508, which authorizes payment for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.

PART 515—CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS

3. The authority citation for part 515 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2370(a), 6001-6010, 7201-7211; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. 4301-4341; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); 22 U.S.C. 6021-6091; Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681; Pub. L. 111-8, 123 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034; E.O. 9989, 13 FR 4891, 3 CFR, 1943-1948 Comp., p. 748; Proc. 3447, 27 FR 1085, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 157; E.O. 12854, 58 FR 36587, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p. 614.

Subpart E—Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy

4. In § 515.512, revise and republish paragraph (e)(2) to read as follows: § 515.512 Provision of certain legal services authorized.

(e) * * *

(2)

Records.

Consistent with §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction who receive payments in connection with legal services authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section must retain for ten years from the date of the relevant payment, and furnish to OFAC on demand, a record that specifies the following for each payment:

(i) The individual or entity from whom the funds originated and the amount of funds received; and

(ii) If applicable:

(A) The names of any persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction receiving payment in connection with authorized legal services to or on behalf of Cuba or a Cuban national, such as private investigators or expert witnesses;

(B) A general description of the services provided; and

(C) The amount of funds paid in connection with such services.

Huddleston, Rhodes, Others In Letter To President Biden Ignore Reality About Cuba OFAC Licensing. Ill-Conceived. Il-Timed. Uninformed.

Huddleston, Rhodes, Others In Letter To President Biden Ignore Reality About Cuba OFAC Licensing.   

Perhaps, Everyone Did Not Know?  That’s A Stretch.  Reinforcing Foolishness 

A Letter Ill-Conceived And Ill-Timed 

How Are Cuba Polices Served By Klieg Lights? 

The Hill (17 December 2024: “In a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, the former officials- including former Havana Chief of Mission Vicki Huddleston and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes- urge the outgoing administration to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, increase humanitarian aid to the country and to streamline rules for Cuban nationals to access the U.S. financial system.” 

“The signatories also asked Biden to instruct the Office of Foreign Assets Control [OFAC] to guide financial institutions on how to serve qualified Cuban nationals without stepping astride of U.S. sanctions. They also called for a general license to allow U.S. citizens to invest in Cuban enterprises not linked to the country’s government.” 

Ms. Huddleston, Mr. Rhodes, and the other signatories to the letter to Joseph Biden, 46th President of the United States (2021-2015), in asking for the OFAC to issue a general license authorizing investment into privately-owned companies located in the Republic of Cuba, failed to recognize that the OFAC on 10 May 2022 issued the first license authorizing both direct investment into and direct financing to a privately-owned company owned by a Republic of Cuba national located in the Republic of Cuba. 

More consequently, Ms. Huddleston, Mr. Rhodes, and the other signatories rather than recognize the existence of a license issued more than two years ago, failed to be curious as to the status of that license- how had it been implemented?  Was the investment a success?  Was the financing a success- were repayment terms met?  They did not ask the OFAC license recipients. 

Had Ms. Huddleston, Mr. Rhodes, and the other signatories demonstrated curiosity- as would have been expected from a former diplomat, executive branch official, and academicians, they would have learned the investment had not been delivered and the financing had not been delivered. 

Why?  Because the Diaz-Canel-Valdes Mesa Administration (2018- ) has not issued regulations to lawfully authorize direct investment in and direct financing to a privately-owned company owned by a Republic of Cuba national located in the Republic of Cuba.   

This lack of regulatory authorization does not only impact individuals subject to United States jurisdiction, but individuals, investors, and companies in other countries, including surprisingly those located in the Canada, China, Iran, Mexico, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkiye, and United Kingdom, among others.  The government of the Republic of Cuba has not issued regulations that would benefit those countries with whom they have commercial, economic, financial, and political relations- and to whom they owe considerable sums in overdue payments.  That the government of the Republic of Cuba will not assist their friends is a remarkable reality.    

The signatories of the letter to President Biden reinforced the courage of their ignorance.  The Biden-Harris Administration (2021-2025) has implemented a robust portfolio of authorizations enabling engagement with the re-emerging private sector in the Republic of Cuba.  That some of those authorizations have yet to be productive is more about the government of the Republic of Cuba not permitting them to work rather than the Biden-Harris Administration not making an effort.   

True, there remain some critical authorizations that have yet to be implemented.  Direct correspondent banking, which the Obama-Biden Administration (2009-2017) inexplicably was only permitted one-way thus rendering the entirety unworkable- and this was within the purview of Mr. Rhodes.  They took credit for something that would not work- and the Biden-Harris Administration has continued that embrace despite the foolishness of authorizing direct investment and direct financing while simultaneously impeding the ability to efficiently, securely, and transparently move funds directly rather than through third countries- or using satchels of United States currency transported by individuals on regularly-scheduled commercial flights. 

• Biden-Harris Administration Approves First Equity Investment Since 1960 In A Private Cuban Company May 10, 2022 

• With U.S. Government Authorization For First Direct Equity Investment Into A Private Company In Cuba, Here Is Important Context And Details.  About The Parties; About The Message. May 16, 2022      

• Biden Administration Will Use Cuba's Authorization Of SMSE's As Means To Expand Support For Cuba Private Sector- U.S. Investments And Loans May Be Next June 02, 2021 

• Why Is Cuba Deputy Foreign Minister Lying, Misleading, And Misstating Commercial Relationship With U.S.? Isn’t He Supposed To Encourage, Nurture, And Support It?  Nov 24, 2024

• Cuba Is Governance Example Of The Medical Term “Failure To Thrive”  United Nations Resolution Will Not Fix Cuba- Nor Force Others To Fix Cuba. Python Suffocating Re-Emerging Private Sector. October 27, 2024 

The letter asking the Biden-Harris Administration to embrace what would be a political quantum leap requiring that the 5 November 2024 electoral consequences be ignored would only set an additional menu items on the political table for the Trump-Vance Administration (2025-2029) to quite publicly reverse whatever had been enabled, underscores the juvenile foundation of the letter- it may have felt good at the time to conceive, draft, sign, and send, but likely would have an opposite effect- placing the Republic of Cuba as a political issue squarely in the klieg lights on 20 January 2025.   

Not unsurprisingly, the government of the Republic of Cuba has embraced the concept of the letter signed by Ms. Huddleston, Mr. Rhodes, and others, but avoided mention of the “general license to allow U.S. citizens to invest in Cuban enterprises not linked to the country’s government.” 

“Former US officials urge Biden to change policy on Cuba 

Washington, Dec 17 (Prensa Latina) A group of former US diplomatic and national security officials urged President Joe Biden on Tuesday to make changes in the Government's policy on Cuba before his Republican successor, Donald Trump, takes office. In a letter to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, they called on the administration “to loosen some restrictions on Cuba before handing over the reins of US diplomacy to President-elect Trump.” 

The letter, signed, among others, by the former head of the Washington mission in Havana, Vicki Huddleston, and former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, urges the outgoing administration to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, increase humanitarian aid to the country and to streamline rules for Cuban nationals to access the U.S. financial system. 

We also believe that current US policy “has exacerbated Cubans’ hardship, and thus we respectfully request that you take a series of actions in the remaining weeks of your administration to help alleviate these challenges. Such a request was made “in the US national interest and in support of the Cuban people.” 

Trump included Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List in the last weeks of his first term (2017-2021), which left Biden with the option of whether or not to keep Cuba within that designation.  “As many of us have said publicly, there is no credible evidence that Cuba sponsors international terrorism. The designation has hindered Cuba’s access to international finance, reduced tourism revenues to pay for imports of food, fuel and medicine and obstructed the arrival of humanitarian relief,” the officials wrote. 

“Our closest allies in the region have repeatedly requested we remove this designation to ameliorate the regional impacts of surging Cuban migration, and we are confident the United States will be applauded worldwide for making this fact-based determination,” stressed the letter, quoted by the Hill newspaper. 

On December 17, 2014, Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro announced that the United States and Cuba would resume diplomatic relations, but a decade later, far from progress, there is regression.  Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured that he did not anticipate any change in Washington’s policy on Cuba before President Biden concludes his term.”

LINK TO COMPLETE ANALYSIS IN PDF FORMAT

Penicillin G Amidase Exported From U.S. To Cuba. October 2024 Ag/Food Exports Increase 161.2%. First Cane Sugar, Dog/Cat Food, Frozen Crustaceans, Coffee/Tea Makers, Cane Furniture, Forklifts

ECONOMIC EYE ON CUBA©
December 2024

October 2024 Ag/Food Exports To Cuba Increase 161.2% - 1
49th Of 222 October 2024 U.S. Food/Ag Export Markets- 2
Year-To-Year Exports Increase 31.1% - 2
Cuba Ranked 59th Of 222 U.S. Ag/Food Export Markets - 2
October 2024 Healthcare Product Exports US$38,467.00 - 2
October 2024 Humanitarian Donations US$5,057,076.00 - 3
Obama Administration Initiatives Exports Continue To Increase - 3
U.S. Port Export Data- 19

OCTOBER 2024 FOOD/AG EXPORTS TO CUBA INCREASE 161.2% - Exports of food products and agricultural commodities from the United States to the Republic of Cuba in October 2024 were US$41,611,234.00 compared to US$15,928,609.00 in October 2023 and US$20,852,560.00 in October 2022. 

The data contains information on exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba- products within the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000, Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) of 1992, and regulations implemented (1992 to present) for other products by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury and Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce.

The TSREEA re-authorized the direct commercial (on a cash basis) export of food products (including branded food products) and agricultural commodities from the United States to the Republic of Cuba, irrespective of purpose. The TSREEA does not include healthcare products, which remain authorized and regulated by the CDA.

The data represents the U.S. Dollar value of product exported from the United States to the Republic of Cuba under the TSREEA and CDA. The data does not include transportation charges, bank charges, or other costs associated with exports; the government of the Republic of Cuba reports unverifiable data that includes transportation charges, bank charges, and other costs.

January 2024 through October 2024 TSREEA exports were US$352,577,247.00 compared to January 2023 through October 2023 TSREEA exports of US$268,733,465.00

Total TSREEA exports since first deliveries in December 2001 exceed US$7,598,910,640.00

Other products exported from the United States to the Republic of Cuba in October 2024 include:  

Used Vehicle (1500cc-3000cc)- US$3,989,435.00  
Used Vehicle (1500cc-3000cc) 2024 Exports- US$48,733,037.00
New Vehicle (+3000cc) 2024 Exports- US$4,566,028.00

First Reported Exports

Fresh Tuna- US$23,923.00
Frozen Tuna- US$16,200.00
Frozen Crustaceans- US$197,044.00
Foliage, Branches- US$17,961.00
Rendered Poultry Fat- US$12,385.00
Raw Cane Sugar- US$143,750.00
Dog and Cat Food- US$14,400.00
Natural Silica Sands And Quartz Sands- US$4,200.00
Hydraulic Cements- US$33,918.00
Silicon Dioxide- US$15,400.00
Penicillin G Amidase- US$48,000.00
Self-Propelled Forklifts- US$55,500.00
Electric Coffee Or Tea Makers- US$11,507.00
Cane Furniture- US$9,204.00
Tooth Brushes- US$9,952.00

"Penicillin amidase (PA) is the enzyme used commercially for the production of semisynthetic penicillins. During the past decade, a detailed picture of the structure and regulation of the gene encoding this enzyme has emerged, revealing a variety of interesting features that are unique among microorganisms."

Solar

Solar Cells Assembled Into Modules Or Panels- US$4,141.00
Photosensitive Semiconductor Devices- US$6,378.00
Primary Batteries, Lithium- US$360,000.00
Total Thus Far In 2024: Solar Cells, Not Made Into Panels Or Modules- US$18,584.00

Humanitarian Donations January 2024 Through October 2024: US$54,988,760.00
Humanitarian Donations For Calendar Year 2023: US$36,563,551.00

LINK TO COMPLETE REPORT (AWAITING PORT DATA).

LINK TO COMPLETE LIST OF PRODUCTS IN 2023 EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES TO CUBA

Minnesota Company Fined US$257,690.00 By OFAC For Unauthorized Cuba/Iran Transactions. Fine Could Have Been US$28.6 Million. Fine Is .9% Of Potential Liability.

Enforcement Release: December 13, 2024

C.H. Robinson International Inc. Settles with OFAC for $257,690 Related to Apparent Violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations

C.H. Robinson International Inc. (CHR), a Minnesota-based global transportation and logistics company, has agreed to pay $257,690 to settle potential civil liability relating to 82 apparent violations of sanctions against Iran and Cuba conducted by five of its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Over a period of more than three years, these subsidiaries provided freight brokerage or transportation services for 82 shipments, to or from Iran, of Iranian- or Cuban-origin goods, or by dealing with an Iranian airline. The settlement amount reflects the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) determination that the apparent violations were non-egregious and voluntarily self-disclosed, as well as the remedial measures implemented by CHR upon discovery of the apparent violations.

Penalty Calculations and General Factors Analysis

The statutory maximum civil monetary penalty applicable in this matter is $28,629,270. OFAC determined that CHR voluntarily self-disclosed the Apparent Violations and that the Apparent Violations constitute a non-egregious case. Accordingly, under OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines (“Enforcement Guidelines”), 31 C.F.R. Part 501, app. A, the base civil monetary penalty applicable in this matter equals the sum of one-half of the transaction value for each apparent violation, which is $322,112. The settlement amount of $257,690 reflects OFAC’s consideration of the General Factors under the Enforcement Guidelines.

LINK TO COMPLETE TEXT OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN PDF FORMAT

Biden Signs Bacardi Legislation Into Law. Thanks "all of the Representatives and Senators who helped advance this legislation for their leadership."

The White House
Washington DC
1 December 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Sunday, December 1, 2024, the President signed into law: H.R. 1505, the "No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act of 2023," which modifies the prohibition on recognition by United States courts of certain rights relating to certain marks, trade names, or commercial names.  Thank you to all the Representatives and Senators who helped advance this legislation for their leadership.

LINKS TO RELATED ANALYSES

Senator Ted Cruz (R- Texas) Signs On As A Co-Sponsor Of Bacardi's Cuba Trademark Legislation- After It Passes U.S. Senate And U.S. House Of Representatives Nov 22, 2024

Bacardi's Cuba Trademark Stripping Legislation Fast-Track To Becoming Law Because Of Charles Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senate Majority Leader. Why? Representative Jerrod Nadler (D- NY) Helped Too. Why? Nov 20, 2024