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.